The 16th Asian Conference of Radiological Technologists and 9th National Conference of Indian Association of Radiolological Technologists was inaugurated on 15th November, 2007 by Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman Atomic Energy Commission & Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India, Mumbai at PGIMER, Chandigarh. Mr. Anil Kakodkar expressed concern about the increasing cost of technologies making it out of reach for the poor. All Asian countries should strive to make technology more affordable and we need to maintain balance between emerging technology and increasing cost. He also expressed that the country needs to enhance the training capacity and quality of technologists. About the future the country has to strengthen the information technology. The inauguration was attended by Prof. K.K. Talwar, Director, PGIMER,Chandigarh, Dr. N. Khandelwal, Head, Deptt. of Radiodiagnosis, Prof. (Mrs.) Sudha Suri, Former Head, Deptt. of Radiodiagnosis and other eminent faculty members. Dr. S.P. Aggarwal, Head, Radiation Safety Division, AERB, Mumbai,Prof.(Mrs.) Sushma Vashisht, Head, Deptt. of Radiodiagnosis, AIIMS, New Delhi. A large number of International delegates from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Macau, Taiwan, Philippines, Australia, U.K., Canada, Finland, Belgium, Kuwait apart from neighboring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh were also present. The key note address was delivered by Prof.(Mrs.)Sneh Bhargava, Ex-Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi on Emerging Technologies – Newer Solutions. Dr. Sneh Bhargava and Mr. S.C. Bansal emphasized the need of paramedical council in India so that there is standardization and proper use of technology. Dr Bhargava highlighted the essential and pivotal role of the Radiation Technologies in the present era of diagnostic and interventional Radiology. With he spectacular advances in the diagnostic modalities, the essential need of an experienced and formally trained technologists was stressed. Dr. S.P. Aggarwal, Head, AERB, Mumbai expressed the importance of quality assurance and radiation safety with the increasing number of diagnostic and nuclear medicine centres coming in the country. He emphasized the important decision taken by AERB to decentralize such services. He also pointed out the important role of manufacturers of imaging equipment in following the AERB guidelines for better radiation protection.
During the inauguration the former heads of department and technologists were honoured including Dr. J.S. Sodhi, Mr. R.P. Bhatnagar, Mr. J.S. Kohli, Mr. S.K. Dhawan and Dr. Sudha Suri.
The next 17th ACRT conference would be held at Malaysia in 2009.
Mr. Ram Singh, organizing secretary delivered the vote of thanks.
