IAEA chief Dr ElBaradei inaugurates 'Bhabhatron' machine

Mumbai, Oct 9 (UNI) Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency,(IAEA), inaugurated the 'Bhabhatron II', a radiotherapy machine used for treating all forms of cancer, at the Tata Memorial Centre, (TMC) here today.

Dr ElBaradei's low profile three-day visit to India began on Monday amid bitter differences between the ruling coalition UPA and its communist allies over a contentious nuclear pact with the United States and the timing of his visit.

The UN atomic energy chief's schedule included the visit to nuclear facilities, located in the financial hub of Mumbai and talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.

''The 'Bhabhatron' radio theraphy machine was jointly developed by the TMC in collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and it is the cheapest machine to have ever been developed anywhere in the world to treat cancer patients, Mr J H Jaffery, Senior person of Tata Memorial Centre told UNI.

On the occasion, TMC also presented a 'Bhabhatron' machine to the IAEA chief, which will be gifted to Vietnam, added Mr Jaffery.

Dr Elbaradei was appointed IAEA Chief from December 1, 1997, and reappointed for a third term in September 2005.

In October 2005, Dr ElBaradei and the IAEA were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used in the safest possible way.

UNI