AERB hasn't inspected X-ray units in 7 years: CAG

Almost none of the diagnostic X-ray units in the country have been inspected by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) in the last seven years even though the nuclear watchdog is mandated to do so legally.

Absence of periodic inspections by the AERB raises serious questions on the quality and accuracy of numerous X-ray machines in hospitals and diagnostic centres across the country, though it may not pose any public health risk.

The AERB could inspect only between one to three per cent of diagnostic X-ray equipment, which are supposed to be checked by the nuclear regulator in every 5 years, the Comptroller and Auditor General says in its audit report on AERB tabled in the Parliament on Wednesday.

In 2008-09, the nuclear regulator did not inspect a single diagnostic X-ray unit out of 40,000 units. In other years, the number of X-ray units inspected are less than 100. In some years the number of regulatory inspections is even less than 50.