India is slated today to conclude a three-day training session designed to equip doctors in New Delhi to handle the fallout of a radiological "dirty bomb" in advance of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the Indo-Asian News Service reported (see GSN, May 22).
"We may face tough times in the near future, and the effort is part of the preparedness to face any chemical during the mega sporting event," said M.C. Mishra, head of the trauma center at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, which hosted the program. "Dirty bombs, which are aimed at spreading diseases, are deadly to handle."
Forty doctors were scheduled to participate in the first session, which was set to culminate in a live response drill. The institute -- in conjunction with several defense-oriented government agencies -- is planning to hold longer events to train more health professionals as the games draw nearer.
"So far, we in India are weak in chemical disaster management," said Lt. Gen. J.R. Bharadwaj, of the National Disaster Management Authority, "and this effort will equip us to face such an eventuality."
Dirty bombs, which use conventional explosives laced with radiological materials, "is the new threat during major events," said Mishra. She said the fallout from such weapons can have deleterious effects on the kidneys, eyes, and other organs, and can harm fertility in women.
"Immediate medical care is required," Mishra said. "The precaution needs to be taken" (Indo-Asian News Service/Thaindian News, July 29).