Express_Healthcare__February_2018

sis, surveillance, priorities of
the treatment and potential
for reversibility. He pointed
out that multiple elastography
techniques are available and
that the literature supports
the non-invasive use of these
techniques to assess liver stiffness.
Further, he went on to
say that to obtain accurate
liver stiffness measurements,
adherence to strict protocol is
required.
Dr Barr also educated the
audience about the critical
points to be kept in mind while
interpreting results and
thereby acquiring accurate diagnosis.
He also highlighted
that both, the patient and
scanning factors affect these
results. Concluding the session,
he elaborated on the multiple
ways that can help make
radiologists improve imaging
results.
The inauguration of the 71 st
Conference of the IRIA and
the 17 th AOCR was graced by
Maharashtra’s Governor, C
Vidhyasagar Rao and members
of national and Maharashtra
State Chapter of IRIA.
During the ceremony, Dr Mohanan
K, 74 th incoming IRIA
President, said that the association
would always stand by
the radiologist members.
The Maharashtra state chapter of IRIA launched
the RAKSHA campaign, a nationwide initiative to
save the girl child.The campaign was inaugurated
by Amitabh Bachchan who has extended his
support to the cause. More than 1000 radiologists
present at event also pledged their support to
the cause
He said that IRIA would
ensure radiologists are trained
to be the best so that there is
no encroachment by 'sonoquacks.'
He also appealed to
the Governor of Maharashtra
to give some clarity on levying
GST on radiology equipment.
He also opined that there
should be zero GST on such
equipment as they are life-saving.
The Governor praised the
efforts of radiologists, and calling
them lifesavers. He stated
that radiologists play an important
role in early detection
of diseases and thereby in the
reduction of the country's disease
burden. He also mentioned
the urgent need to harness
teleradiology, given the
lack of radiologists and doctors.
He rightly pointed out
that as India is predicted to
have a huge geriatric population,
more than that of the US,
there is an urgent need for effective
radiology solutions.
Further, he urged the radiology
equipment players to
manufacture advanced radiology
equipment in India and reduce
costs. He asked Dr Mohanan
to make a report on this
and promised to take it up
with PM Narendra Modi, who
is very keen on the ‘Make in
India’ initiative.
The Governor lastly highlighted
the skewed sex ratio in
the country and the role of prenatal
sex detection in this
abysmal situation. He also
pointed out that female foeticide
too remains rampant, and
said that the way forward is to
change the mindset of the population.
Moreover, the Maharashtra
state chapter of IRIA launched
the RAKSHA campaign, a nationwide
initiative to save the
girl child. The campaign was
inaugurated by Amitabh
Bachchan who has extended
his support to the cause. More
than 1000 radiologists present
at event also pledged their support
to the cause.
The inauguration ceremony
began with Dr Sona
Pungavkar, explaining the aim
and vision of the initiative.
'Save the girl child' and
'Laadli' are some of the social
initiatives to wage a
war against female foeticide
which aims at protecting, safeguarding,
supporting and educating
the girl child. Similarly,
these radiologists have also
joined hands to continue this
effort.
Pledging his support to the
initiative, Bachchan said,
“During my TB and Hepatitis
B treatment time, I discovered
that there was discrimination
amongst women with
these conditions. Therefore,
this subject is very close to my
heart. So, when I was approached
to support this initiative
I couldn’t say no. We
need to support all women
who face discrimination because
of their illnesses and
medical conditions. We have
to encourage women for early
diagnosis of diseases and
ensure a secured future
for them. We will fight for
women of our nation until
they are completely empowered.
He also shared his willingness
to be the voice for this
cause.
QUIZ CONTEST
IRIA/AOCR 2018
witnessed a lot of
interesting activities
to engage and educate
radiologists across
the country.The quiz
contest was one such
case-in-point.
20 multiple-choice
questions were posed
to the experts.
EXPRESS HEALTHCARE 15
February 2018