Visakhapatnam: VIMS to get CBRN medical management centre

Visakhapatnam: In a bid to provide quality healthcare treatment to the victims of industrial accidents or disasters, a dedicated 20-bed CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) Centre has been scheduled to be launched soon at Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS).

Taking note of the increasing number of industrial or disaster accidents reported from Andhra Pradesh, especially from the Vishakhapatnam region, the Union Government accepted the proposal of the state government to set up the centre at VIMS.

The CBRN will primarily focus on the treatment of the victims as well as treat pandemic-hit patients. It will manage medical emergencies arising out of industrial accidents and biological emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

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With 10 states being selected by the Union government for the setting up of these centres to handle disasters and accidents, Andhra Pradesh is among the other states and the first to have such advanced facilities. The Centre has also asked the state government of the selected states to submit proposals regarding the set-up of the centre in their region.

According to The Hans India report, the list of proposed identified sites and states for establishing CBRN Centres includes BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad in Gujarat, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi in Jharkhand, Assam Medical College and Hospital Dibrugarh and Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati in Assam, Government Medical College, Kota in Rajasthan, CHC, Shivpur, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Sub District Hospital in Palghar in Maharashtra, JPN Trauma Centre, AIIMS in New Delhi along with Odisha and Karnataka.

The CBRN facility at VIMS will include 20-beds ICU and isolation beds, a decontamination treatment, a decontamination shower facility, and pre-operation and post-operation rooms dedicated to the victims exposed to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear mishaps.

Earlier, the victims had to be airlifted to other states to save their lives from the capital but now with the help of the CBRN centre here, proper medical treatment will be provided to them in time.

Speaking to TOI, VIMS director Dr K Rambabu said “The victims can be immediately rushed to this centre. Not only the regular chemical mishaps, but the centre would also help tackle biological emergencies like the recent Covid-19 pandemic. VIMS currently has medical facilities to treat chemical, biological, and radiological emergencies. A separate building will be constructed in the VIMS premises to attend to the nuclear emergencies under this project.”

“We have allotted two acres of land for the centre and the Union Government will depute senior doctors and staff to man the centre. The staff at VIMS will be trained,” he told TH.

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