Maha hospitals exposed staff to radiation risk

MUMBAI: Nine government hospitals in Maharashtra had their radiology staff working without a device that measures how much harmful radiation they may be exposed

MUMBAI: Nine government hospitals in Maharashtra had their radiology staff working without a device that measures how much harmful radiation they may be exposed to while working with X-Ray and CT scan machines.

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These nine hospitals admitted to flouting the rules in a reply to a Right To Information (RTI) query filed by an activist.

The activist has since filed a complaint with the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which in turn issued show-cause notices to the hospitals for overlooking their’s staff ’s safety.

The government medical colleges admitted in June that their hospital staff did not have the Thermo-Luminescent Dosimeter or TLD badges — a kind of meter that detects the level of hazardous radiations a staffer is exposed to. While the human body has a natural defense mechanism to deal with low doses of such radiation, it may not do enough to protect workers and doctors who spend hours in the radiology department.

The issue sounds pressing, Medha Gadgil, principal secretary, medical education told Hindustan Times, but added that she did not have enough information to comment on it. She said Dr Pravin Shingare, the director, DMER would be in a better position to comment.

Shingare, on his part, said, “We haven’t got any complaint as of now from any colleges. If any such complaint comes, we will ask the deans to purchase the badges immediately.”

Despite the AERB notices, its officials confirmed only six of the nine hospitals had given their staff badges, but much after the mandatory period of three months had lapsed.

Government Medical Colleges in Akola, Latur, Nagpur, Sangli, Aurangabad and BJ Medical College in Pune are among those not giving their resident doctors and radiology workers badges. Sir JJ Hospital and Grant Medical College and hospital were also on the list, but during its inquiry, the AERB found the hospitals were not flouting the norms.

A technician from Sir JJ Hospital and Grant Medical College, on condition of anonymity, said that they either wear the badge inside the coat or on chest as recommended by the head of the department. “We are aware of the effects of radiation and we ensure that we wear the badge. There have been instances when our colleagues or doctors are asked to change the department for two months when the trimonthly check of badges recorded more than recommended,” said the technician.

The RTI activist, who did not want to be named, said he filed his query in May this year, after getting several complaints about badges not coming being given out, or of a delay involved in the process. “These complaints prompted me to file the query individually with every medical college of the state. The response was shocking,” the activist said.

With radiology departments at government medical colleges checking between 500-550 patients a day, experts agreed the issue needed immediate attention as the effects of exposure are disastrous.

“The amount of radiation exposure for a longer period can either cause cancer or affect the reproductive system of an individual. The badges are of very important as the readings are checked every three months, and if a staffer records higher than normal exposure, he or she is barred from the department for a few months. How would the doctors know the amount of exposure without the badges?” said Dr Sagar Mundada, president, Central Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors.

Dr Pradeep Gandhi, vice president of Maharashtra State Branch, Indian Radiological & Imaging Association, said looking at patient numbers at government medical colleges, it is important for hospitals to strictly follow the safety requirements.

“The facilities that conduct about 200-300 X-Rays, CT Scans and MRI’s a day need to follow the TLD badge guidelines. Although there is no documented evidence of individuals contracting cancer or having organ failures from exposure, it doesn’t mean the radiation has no impact at all.”

The AERB issued the show-cause notices in June, asking for clarification on why there was a delay in providing the badges. But only six of the hospitals provided badges.

Dr Avinash U Sonawne, head, radiological safety division, AERB said the hospitals are responsible to provide TLD badges to its employees. “We issued notices to not only government medical colleges of Maharashtra, but also across the nation to ensure timely distribution of badges. After much follow up, three of them, BJ Medical College Pune, GMC Akola and GMC Aurangabad are yet to provide badges to its employees. The issue is of non-payment and we have already asked them to provide the badges as soon as possible,” said Sonawne.