Radiation to sterilise medical products

Summary:

India has launched its first ISOMED radiation plant in Trombay, marking a significant milestone for South and Southeast Asia. This facility, a collaborative effort between the Department of Atomic Energy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), specializes in sterilizing medical products using radiation, a technique that gained popularity in the United States in 1963. Incorporating advanced design and technology, the plant commenced operations in January, ahead of schedule, with financial and technical support from the UNDP and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Plans are underway to establish additional plants across India, significantly boosting the country's capacity for sterilizing medical products.

Key Points:

• The ISOMED radiation plant represents a groundbreaking development in the medical sterilization field within South and Southeast Asia.

• A collaboration between the Department of Atomic Energy and the UNDP, the plant leverages advanced radiation technology for sterilizing medical products, following the example set by the United States and the United Kingdom.

• Initiated with a Cobalt-60 source of 100,000 curies activity, the facility has the capacity to sterilize approximately 3,300 cubic meters of medical products annually, with plans for a tenfold expansion.

• The plant will also function as a training center for scientists, engineers, and technicians from developing countries, promoting international collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Additional Insights:

• The establishment of the ISOMED plant not only advances India's capabilities in medical sterilization but also positions the country as a leader in this technology within the region.

• The expansion plans highlight the growing demand for sterilized medical products, reflecting the broader trend towards higher standards of healthcare and safety.

• The training component of the ISOMED project fosters international cooperation and skill development, emphasizing the role of knowledge sharing in advancing global health technologies.

Keywords Explained:

• Radiation Plant: A facility that uses radiation technology, such as gamma rays from Cobalt-60, to sterilize medical products, eliminating bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.

• Sterilizing Medical Products: The process of making medical products free from microorganisms, ensuring they are safe for use in medical procedures and treatments.

• Cobalt-60: A radioactive isotope used as a source of gamma rays in radiation sterilization processes.

Published in : The Hindu

Date appeared in newspaper : 08 April 2024

Link to the article (might require a paid subscription) : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/2024-04-08/th_international/articleGAJCL25PC-6390526.ece

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