 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Apr 11: AIIMS Jammu successfully organized a one-day symposium on "Establishing Plaque Brachytherapy Program for Ocular Oncology." The event brought together leading experts from ophthalmology and radiation oncology to discuss advancements and infrastructure requirements for ocular oncology (eye cancer) care.
At present, advanced ocular oncology services are primarily available at AIIMS New Delhi, compelling a significant number of patients from the Jammu & Kashmir region to travel outside the Union Territory for specialized diagnosis and treatment. The establishment of advanced ocular oncology services at AIIMS Jammu will enable timely diagnosis and treatment while strengthening the regional healthcare infrastructure.
The inaugural session was led by Prof. (Dr.) D.N. Sharma, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Jammu, who welcomed the delegates and emphasized the importance of developing specialized ocular oncology services. Prof. (Dr.) Meeta Gupta, Dean (Academics), AIIMS Jammu, also highlighted the importance of such academic initiatives.
Dr. Bhavani Raina, Additional Professor & Officiating Head of Department, highlighted the multitude of services available at AIIMS Jammu. She introduced the symposium, emphasizing the growing need for integrated ocular oncology care.
Prof. (Dr.) Shabab Lalit Angurana, Dean (Research) & Head, Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Jammu, presented an overview of brachytherapy services, stating that the department is actively catering to the region's growing clinical demands.
Dr. Nitin Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, AIIMS Jammu, further elaborated on the expanding clinical requirements in ocular oncology, underscoring the urgency for specialized and integrated care services.
Key scientific sessions featured expert talks by leading specialists from AIIMS New Delhi:
Dr. Neiwete Lomi discussed the clinical indications and techniques for ocular brachytherapy
Dr. Surendra Kumar Saini highlighted the role of radiation therapy in managing ocular malignancies
Dr. Dhanabalan Rajasekaran elaborated on the resources and technical requirements for plaque brachytherapy
The symposium also featured an interactive panel discussion moderated by Dr. Ridham Nanda, Assistant Professor, fostering dialogue on implementing plaque brachytherapy services at the institute.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Nazia Anjum, Assistant Professor, acknowledging the contributions of all speakers, organizers, and participants.
A major highlight of the symposium was the discussion on licensing requirements and regulatory approvals, particularly those mandated by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). Experts emphasized that compliance with radiation safety norms, infrastructure specifications, and trained personnel requirements remains a significant challenge for institutions aiming to establish such facilities.
In addition, discussions covered challenges related to procurement and handling of radioactive plaques, availability of trained multidisciplinary teams, and the need for close coordination between ophthalmologists, radiation oncologists, and medical physicists.
Operational aspects such as patient selection, treatment planning, radiation safety protocols, and long-term follow-up were also deliberated in detail. Faculty highlighted the importance of structured training programs and institutional preparedness to effectively overcome these barriers.
This symposium marks a significant step toward establishing advanced ocular oncology services at AIIMS Jammu, thereby improving access to specialized cancer care in the region. |
