Department of Atomic Energy Nuclear Medicine Expansion Programme
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is expanding India's nuclear medicine capabilities primarily for cancer treatment through its various research units and aided institutes. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), an R&D unit of DAE, provides clinical patient services through Radiation Medicine Centre in Mumbai and Radiation Medicine Research Centre in Kolkata for diagnostic and therapeutic cancer services.
At Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), another DAE R&D unit, a 30 MeV medical cyclotron is operated for commercial production of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals for cancer diagnostics. These products are regularly delivered to various hospitals and Nuclear Medicine Centres across the country.
Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), an aided institute under DAE, has established comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services using nuclear techniques. Their facilities include: Gamma Camera and associated radiopharmacy lab performing functional imaging for cancer staging including 99mTc PSMA scans and Multigated Acquisition imaging for cardiac function assessment; Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PETCT) and its radiopharmacy lab using 18F FDG for cancer staging in lung, esophageal, breast cancers and lymphoma, plus radioactive pharmaceuticals like Ga68 DOTANOC and Ga68 FAPI for prostate cancer, Neuroendocrine Tumors, and GI cancers; and a 6-bedded high dose Radionuclide therapy ward designed per Atomic Energy Regulatory Board guidelines with appropriate layout and delay tank for radioactive sewage disposal, utilizing Iodine-131 for thyroid cancer treatment, and Lutetium-177 PSMA and Lu-177 DOTANOC for prostate cancer, neuroendocrine cancer and other SSTR expressing malignancies.
TMC also engages in project conception and product development for medical uses, including development of medical devices like 90Y Bhabhspheres for Trans arterial radio embolization (developed by BARC/BRIT & TMC), Blood Irradiator, Bhabhatron, and Radio protectors by BARC with testing and DCGI approval by TMC.
Currently, radioisotopes are produced through research reactors and cyclotrons, with Ruthenium-106, Caesium-137, and Strontium-90 milked into Yttrium-90 recovered through reprocessing of High-Level Liquid Waste. A dedicated Isotope Production Reactor (IPR) is being constructed at BARC, Visakhapatnam to enhance domestic production of medical isotopes and achieve self-reliance. BARC regularly produces radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals supplied through BRIT to nuclear medicine centres across India.
DAE is strengthening capacity-building through specialized training programs including Doctor of Medicine in Nuclear Medicine, Master of Science in Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology, Master of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology & Hospital Radio-Pharmacy, and Diploma in Radiological Physics conducted by BARC. TMC conducts additional courses including Doctor of Medicine (MD) Nuclear Medicine (3-year course), Nuclear Theranotics (2-year fellowship), and Masters in Science (M.Sc) in Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technology (2 years).
The information was provided by Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, indicating no current proposals received in DAE for further expansion beyond these initiatives.