Odisha CM approves State-of-the-Art Medical Cyclotron Unit

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved the proposal for establishing a state-of-the-art Medical Cyclotron unit to improve the quality of cancer care in Odisha.

At the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital, the unit will be located within the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) campus at Jatni.

Meanwhile, to set up the unit, a fund will be given by the Odisha state government up to 150 crores.

Moreover, in the entire South-East Asia region, Odisha is a leading research and applications hub of Medical Cyclotron.

“Medical Cyclotron unit will produce radioactive isotopes required for critical imaging procedures such as the Positron emission tomography (PET) scan for treatment of cancers and other critical ailments. Presently, Odisha obtains the isotopes on a daily basis from Hyderabad, Mumbai, or Kolkata and the isotopes remain effective for only a few hours,” the Secretary of Health and Family Welfare of Odisha, Shalini Pandit stated in a press statement.

However, to the entire South East Asian region, a state-of-the-art Medical Cyclotron facility would be unique which is proposed by the Odisha government.

Pandit further said, “It would be operated by NISER in close collaboration with Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology, and the Department of Atomic Energy and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.”

The production of medically useful radioisotopes would be included. “The unit would facilitate skill development in the field of applied sciences, and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students”, the statement reads.

Furthermore, as part of a National facility for Research and Development in the areas of basic sciences this unit will work in the area of nuclear medicine as a part of South East Asian regional facility.