Govt trains docs to treat radiation

“We want to be prepared for all eventualities during the Commonwealth Games. We already have a line of treatment for victims who suffer CBRN injuries,” Delhi Health minister Kiran Walia said shortly after announcing a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the family of deceased Rajender,35.

Meanwhile,doctors said Deepak Jain,31,the scrap shop owner who is stated to be critical following exposure to radiation,will undergo a bone marrow transplant at Army Research and Referral (RR) Hospital.

Jain was transferred from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital to RR Hospital on Tuesday. His bone marrow was significantly suppressed due to exposure to the radioactive source when he was admitted; a hospital spokesperson said his condition is stable now.

J R B Bharadwaj of the National Disaster Management Authority,who is working closely with the hospitals in the treatment of the victims,said: “When exposed to radiation,atoms,the basic building block of the body’s cells,become electrically charged. This interferes with the cell’s ability to reproduce.

“Among the cells that are most sensitive to radiation are those that line the intestine (crypt cells),white blood cells that fight infection,and cells that make red and white blood cells.”

Bharadwaj said a patient requires a bone marrow transplant if these cells are exposed to radiation.

If the donor and recipient are compatible,these infused cells will then travel to the bone marrow and initiate blood cell production.

Jain’s relatives are reportedly being tested for donor cross-matching.