A crisis of radioisotopes is depriving treatment lo scores of critical patients In ihe country, reports UNB.

Radioisotopes are used for the treatment of cancer, brain tumour, kidney and liver diseases. but its import and supply remains stalled since last December.

Institute of Nuclear Medi-< Inc (INM) of Bangabandhu Post Graduate Medical University Hospital. Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Mitford Hospital provide this specla Used treatment, but non availability of radioisotopes at present means treatment of these diseases have also been stopped.

Director of INM at PG Hospital Dr M A Karim admitted that they have nothing to do as supply' ol radioscopy has remained suspended for several weeks

Al least 75 patients are turned awav from INM alone everyday.

Dr Fouzla Karlin of INM said many patients are being forced to no abroad for treatment due lo Ihe lack of radioisotopes here.

Sources say Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) Imports radioisotope through tenders every financial year. This was not done due to shortage of funds. At least taka three crore is needed for Import of the required quantum ol ra dioisotope. but the annual allocation for it Is little over taka one crore.