Madhya Pradesh's private hospitals risk radiation safety by skipping key staff

Private hospitals in Madhya Pradesh are failing to appoint qualified medical physicists for cancer treatment. This oversight raises concerns about radiation safety, as doctors and paramedical staff currently manage these systems instead. The State Cancer Institute in Jabalpur has now called for stricter checks to ensure compliance with safety rules. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) requires medical physicists to oversee radiation control during cancer treatment. These specialists ensure accurate radiation dosing, reducing risks to patients. However, private hospitals in Madhya Pradesh often skip these appointments, leaving the task to other staff.

Government medical colleges in the state already conduct regular verification of medical physicists where radiation systems operate. But private hospitals face no such checks, leaving gaps in safety. The health department has not carried out physical inspections in these facilities, despite the need for periodic reviews. The State Cancer Institute, Jabalpur, has now pushed for physical verification of medical physicists in private hospitals. A dedicated tracking system is also needed to monitor compliance with the Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules. Without these measures, radiation safety in cancer care remains at risk.

The absence of medical physicists in private hospitals puts patients and staff at potential risk. Physical verification and a compliance tracking system could enforce AERB’s safety standards. Until then, radiation control in Madhya Pradesh’s private cancer treatment centres remains unchecked.