Chandigarh Journalists Association and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre Host Workshop on Nuclear Technology's Role in Health, Environment, and Agriculture

New Chandigarh — The Chandigarh Journalists Association, in collaboration with the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCH&RC), New Chandigarh, hosted a workshop on the "Role of Nuclear Technology in Health, Environment, and Agriculture." Held on the HBCH&RC campus in New Chandigarh, Distt. Mohali, Punjab, the event drew journalists from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi, as well as students from Chitkara University. The workshop aimed to disseminate knowledge about the societal benefits of nuclear science.

The full-day workshop featured a session on urban waste management led by Dr. S. T. Mehetre, a distinguished expert from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Dr. Mehetre detailed the innovative applications of nuclear technologies in managing urban solid waste and wastewater, highlighting their role in effective waste management and agricultural practices. He also discussed advanced technologies developed at BARC for wastewater management, emphasizing their potential to significantly enhance environmental sustainability and public health.

Dr. Ashish Gulia, Director of HBCH&RC, inaugurated the workshop with an overview of Tata Memorial Centre's contributions to healthcare in Punjab. He highlighted the center’s mission to offer comprehensive health services, including affordable accommodation and free travel services for patients. Dr. Gulia also presented concerning statistics, noting that Sangrur has reported 37,610 cancer patients to date, with liver cancer being particularly prevalent due to factors such as alcohol consumption, polluted water, and unhealthy diets. He announced that the hospitals have treated 7,725 patients under the Ayushman Bharat scheme with ₹62 crore in funding and 7,985 patients under the Mukhya Mantri Rahat Kosh scheme with ₹42 crore in funding. Dr. Gulia emphasized the center's adoption of paperless, cashless facilities and the implementation of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) portal, which improves efficiency and coordination across the institute.

Dr. Gulia also highlighted the hospital's community outreach efforts, noting that 1283 screening camps have been conducted to educate the public about cancer types and symptoms, significantly aiding in early detection and prevention. n