A two days symposium started in CMC

The symposium inaugurated by Shri S.S. Bajaj

Ludhiana, 14^th Feb, 2014: (Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria):

A two days symposium on “Applications of Radioisotopes and Radiation Technology in modern medicine: diagnosis, therapy and research” started today. Christian Medical College, Ludhiana is hosting this event. The symposium is being jointly organized by Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT), Mumbai, National Association for Applications of Radioisotopes and Radiation in Industry (NAARI) Mumbai), and Christian Medical College (CMC), Ludhiana. The symposium, was inaugurated by Shri S.S. Bajaj, Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Govt. of India, emphasizes on the applications and the latest developments in the fields of Nuclear medicine and Radiotherapy.

The latest developments in the use of radioisotopes in diagnosis and therapy of a number of diseases, particularly cancer, would be discussed during the conference. The two day symposium is planned to create awareness about the new technologies and would provide a platform for fruitful interactions between potential users with scientists and technology providers. Key note address was delivered by Dr. Arun Malhotra.

A new blood irradiator developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), first of its kind in India,  inaugurated by S. Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Adviser to Chief Minister, Punjab on 14^th February.  

Irradiation of blood & blood products by gamma rays is a new and safe method to eliminate the risk of reaction, known as Graft vs Host Disease (T-GVHD), at the time of blood transfusion particularly in patients going for bone marrow transplant or tissue transplant.

Although widely practiced world over in hospitals and blood banks, the technology is new to India. The irradiator has been procured by a grant from Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) and has greatly helped CMC hospital in its successful bone-marrow transplant programme. About 300 eminent faculty from India are arrived here to attend the two days CME program.