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Dear Sir,

This is with reference to the cover story (Obsolete equipment make their way into the market) in EHM dated 1-15 May, 2001.

Old is not always obsolete. Aspirin is still a useful drug with ever increasing range of indications for its use. It is currently being explored for use as a chemo preventive agent against colonic cancer. Same is true of telecobalt machine. EI-Dorado, the first telecobalt machine was introduced in the year 1951. Ever since telecobalt machines have been considered a workhorse of any radiation oncology department. The study reported a couple of decades ago showed a substantial increase in survival due to the introduction of mega voltage, telecobalt machines. Spurred by the technological innovations like multileaf collimators and IMRT, engineers have made it possible to have telecobalts with this technology as well as manufacture the new range with this modern technology. This is not to belittle the role of linear accelerators of both low and high-energy range. The telecobalt machines are still used in many countries like Japan and Europe. US of America with its obsession and aversion for nuclear waste pushed out the workhorse to be replaced by 4 to 6 MV, LA. Now the insurance agencies, which are ruling the roost want telecobalt machines back, as they are so much cheaper.

Your paper should not pander to lobbyists from ‘market forces’. The larger interest of the societal good should be perpetuated.

— Dr Nagraj G Huilgol
D.G.O., MD
Chief radiation oncologist
Division of Radiation Oncology
Nanavati Hospital & MRC, Mumbai

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