AIIMS Bhopal Proposal For Replacement Of Gamma Knife With ZAP For Brain Tumour Surgery Dumped

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): AIIMS, Bhopal’s proposal for replacement of ‘Gamma knife’ with ZAP—new medical equipment for brain tumour surgery, has been turned down after opposition of Bhopal MP Alok Sharma.

Rs 151 crore was sanctioned as combined budget for PET-CT and Neuro stereotactic radio-surgery (SRS Gamma Knife).  PET-CT scan combines two imaging techniques, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT), into a single scan while Gamma knife is used for brain tumour surgery.

Bhopal MP Alok Sharma opposed the AIIMS proposal stating that already much fund had been spent on Gamma Knife project and construction work. If replacement is made, it will lead to waste of fund.

Standing Finance Committee (SFC) of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), after opposition from Bhopal MP Alok Sharma, said any proposal for procurement of new medical equipment by replacing the earlier approved item cannot be made through ATR.

Considering a significant amount of funds have already been spent for installation of Gamma Knife and construction work has already started. SFC suggested AIIMS, Bhopal to proceed with procurement of Gamma Knife as approved in the previous SFC meeting.

SFC also added that the aforesaid combined project indicated by AIIMS, Bhopal appears to be high and needs to be re-checked.