Madhya Pradesh's cancer care crisis exposes radiation safety failures

Cancer treatment in Madhya Pradesh faces serious concerns over radiation safety. The state’s health department does not physically verify whether hospitals appoint medical physicists—a role critical for controlling radiation doses. This gap raises risks in treatment procedures, despite strict national regulations being in place. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) sets clear rules for appointing medical physicists to oversee radiation safety in cancer care. These specialists ensure precise radiation dosing, preventing errors that could harm patients. Yet, in Madhya Pradesh, private hospitals rarely hire them, and the health department skips on-site checks to confirm their presence.

Government-run medical colleges with radiation facilities follow verification procedures. But private hospitals, where most patients seek treatment, often ignore these requirements. The State Cancer Institute in Jabalpur has now pushed for mandatory physical inspections to enforce compliance. The AERB also requires a tracking system to monitor radiation safety standards. Without it, hospitals may fail to meet the Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, leaving patients vulnerable to improper treatment.

The lack of verification leaves radiation safety in private hospitals unchecked. Without medical physicists, cancer patients risk receiving incorrect radiation doses. The State Cancer Institute’s call for inspections aims to close this gap and align with national safety protocols.