The
medical X-ray equipment of private clinics, being ionizing radiation generating
units, are required to be licenced/registered with
the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). MRI and Ultrasound units are not
emitting ionizing radiation and are therefore not required to be registered
with AERB.
Licence/registration of
medical diagnostic X-ray equipment is issued by AERB after verifying compliance
requirements such as availability of Site and Layout Approval, Qualified Personnel, Type
Approval of X-ray equipment and other safety specific requirements as per AERB
Safety Code for Medical Diagnostic X-ray Equipment and Installations.
There are several stake
holders in the field of diagnostic radiology. AERB issues Type Approval
certificate in regard to design safety to manufacturers and suppliers. The
utilities licenced/registered by AERB purchase only
the Type Approved equipment and comply with other requirements as prescribed in
the Safety Code for Medical Diagnostic X-ray Equipment and Installations. The
process ensures adequate safety from radiation for the users during the
operation of the equipment.
In
respect of the manufacturers and suppliers the Type Approval process ensures
that safety is built into the design of the equipment. As regards the
utilities, review of applications submitted by them is carried out by AERB to
ascertain compliance with the Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004
for ensuring radiation safety in the diagnostic facilities. In view of the low
hazard potential, regulatory inspections are carried out on sample basis.
The
number of inspections carried out in diagnostic X-ray facilities during the
last three years and in the current year (including by the Directorates of
Radiation Safety in the States of Kerala and Mizoram) are given below:
|
State
|
No. of equipments inspected
|
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
|
Delhi
|
27
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Kerala
|
204
|
336
|
255
|
100
|
|
Maharashtra
|
06
|
178
|
53
|
-
|
|
Meghalaya
|
01
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Rajasthan
|
29
|
13
|
-
|
-
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
74
|
18
|
63
|
17
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
15
|
-
|
05
|
-
|
|
Assam
|
27
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Goa
|
-
|
09
|
-
|
-
|
|
Karnataka
|
-
|
31
|
38
|
25
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
-
|
34
|
11
|
-
|
|
Tripura
|
-
|
02
|
-
|
-
|
|
West Bengal
|
-
|
06
|
24-
|
-
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
-
|
|
Gujarat
|
-
|
-
|
68
|
-
|
|
Mizoram
|
-
|
-
|
26
|
-
|
|
Odisha
|
-
|
-
|
02
|
-
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17
|
The Minister of State in the ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions and in the Prime
Minister’s Office Shri V. Narayanasamy
Gave this information in reply to a written question in the Lok
Sabha today.
*****
ST/-