Safdarjung Hospital resumes services at Radiotherapy Department for cancer treatment

It was in November 2015 that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) ordered the Radiotherapy Department at Safdarjung Hospital to shut down as it failed to renew its radio safety license a result, many cancer patients were refused admission at the hospital's radiation therapy department.

The AERB is responsible for implementation of radiation safety norms in hospitals.

After nearly one-and-a-half year, Safdarjung Hospital has restarted its Radiotherapy Department which has given great hope to thousands of cancer patients.

As per the reports, at least 10 patients were given the radiotherapy on Thursday.

Dr AK Rai, director, Safdarjung Hospital while talking to Mail Today said, "It was very unfortunate that we had to shut down the radiotherapy department in 2015 on the orders of AERB, but today, we got the approval again to make the department functional. We have appointed a fresh radiological safety officer. For now, we are starting with a single machine - Cobalt-60. Our two radiotherapy machines are condemned, so we have written to the higher authorities for latest LINAC (Linear Accelerator)."

Meanwhile, the patients who approached Safdarjung for treatment were sent to AIIMS, LNJP, and Delhi State Cancer Institute while many opted for private hospitals.