PET scan services launched at State Cancer Institute, GMC Jammu

Srinagar, Jul 18: The much-awaited PET scan services were inaugurated at the State Cancer Institute, GMC Jammu on Thursday.
The Nuclear Medicine team, headed by Prof Ashutosh Gupta, Principal GMC Jammu and a renowned cancer specialist, performed the first PET scan. Other team members from Nuclear Medicine and Radiodiagnosis included Dr Rahul Sharma, Prof Kulbhushan Gupta, Dr Rajeev Gupta, Dr Abdul Waheed, Dr Sudheer Sharma, Ms Sumaira, Ms Lata and other supportive staff.
Four PET scans were conducted today under the supervision of Dr Deepak Kumar, Medical Superintendent of the State Cancer Institute.
Dr Ashutosh Gupta informed that this achievement is a landmark not only for GMC Jammu but also for the people of the Jammu region who have suffered greatly due to the non-availability of this vital facility essential for treating and monitoring cancer patients.
The new PET scan machine, procured for INR 13 crores by J&K Medical Supply Corporation, is the latest generation PET scan by Wipro GE Company, Discovery IQ, he said, adding that the model installed has the highest NEMA sensitivity and quantitation accuracy, which ultimately provides enhanced patient care, comfort, and satisfaction.
Dr Gupta said the PET CT will soon be linked with radiation therapy machines to be installed in the State Cancer Institute, to ensure that all radiation planning is done on PET-based imaging. This will make radiation treatment very precise and accurate, he said.
The State Cancer Institute is a prestigious project funded by the Government of India for INR 104 crores.
Principal GMC Jammu further said that efforts are being undertaken to keep the user charges for PET scans and other facilities at the State Cancer Institute at a very affordable level so that poor patients can utilise the facilities. (KNO)