In a recent press statement Dr R. Guleria, the Director of the prestigious All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi mentioned that people with COVID symptoms should avoid CT / CAT scan (Computerised Tomography) as it is 300 to 400 times more harmful than a routine X-ray. According to the good doctor in case the lungs need to be examined then the patient should get an X-ray done. This procedure could also reveal the state of the lungs similar to an CT scan and medications could be started. The doctor’s statement is made out of good intention but it is another matter that the moment a patient enters a private hospital or polyclinic he/she is advised to undergo a battery of tests and scans. It would be better if the Central and State governments send an advisory to the hospitals to avoid CT scans. This step may minimize usage of scans and patients saved from harmful radiations and unwanted expenses.
