World Radiology meet inaugurated

NEW DELHI, September 18: Advancement in radiology had not improved health care for the poor, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said here on Friday after inaugurating the 20th international Congress of Radiology.

Radiology is one of the youngest of medical sciences and had made specialty areas like neuro-radiology possible but only for those who can afford them, he said, addressing radiologists from 70 countries of the world. He said the radiology congress should not confine to exchange of ideas on technology but also discuss ways to increase the affordability of imaging facilities. He said this should be a global effort involving radiologists, institutions, technology firms and governments as the poor are everywhere and health is a global concern.

The Prime Minister also gave away lifetime achievement awards to 123 radiologists in the country and the Dr Beclere Gold Medal to radiologist Dr Sudarshan Agarwal. The congress which will conclude on September 23 was also addressed by Prof Lenny Tan president of the International Society of Radiology and Dr Samir Banerjee chairman of the current meet.