Three technologists from Panama's National Oncologic Institute have been charged with manslaughter in the wake of accidental radiation overdoses given to pelvic cancer patients between August 2000 and February 2001, Panamanian daily La Prensa has reported.
The three former institute employees were ordered to testify before a special government prosecutor for their alleged roles in the accidental deaths of 12 patients who underwent radiotherapy at the institute. The official charges of "homicide by imprudence" stem from the technologists' alleged modification of radiation therapy protocols without the approval of their supervisors.
Special prosecutor Cristóbal Arboleda has excused one of the three technologists from testifying for five days due to temporary disability, La Prensa said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the sanctions meted out last month to all 12 employees who were reportedly involved in the overdoses are being reviewed by the health ministry's ethics committee for possible modification.
In other news, Panama's ministry of health has instituted a radiologic safety committee to regulate the use of radioactive equipment and materials in medical treatments throughout Panama, La Prensa said.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersAugust 31, 2001
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