Relief to cancer patients; PET scan to be done on PPP basis

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The PET scan facility will be provided on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in the Government Cancer hospital (State Cancer Institute).

Academic Dean of Tata Memorial Hospital Dr Kailash Sharma said that the Medical Education Department signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the company concerned on Tuesday for this purpose.

Patients have to wait for the scan at the Government Cancer Hospital (GCH). On the other hand, this test is not being done in the Government scheme either. Due to this, poor patients have to face financial hardship to get this test done.

Finally, the path has been cleared to get this facility only in the GCH.

Dean Dr Shivaji Sukre said the treatment facilities of cancer patients would be increased because of PET scans.

“Efforts will be made to provide this facility at maximum concession as per the government rules. If necessary, funds will also be sought from the District Planning Committee,” he added. Officer on Special Duty of GCH Dr Arvind Gaikwad said PET scan is important for the diagnosis and treatment of patients and would benefit cancer patients.

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Why PET scan needed?

A PET scan helps to know the stage of the cancer and further treatment. Even after treatment, it also shows how much the cancer has recovered and how it is responding to the treatment. Cancer patients have to undergo this test at least one to four times.

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Project to be completed in next 9 months

This project will be completed in the next nine months. The efforts made for the last few years to provide PET scan facilities in the GCH have been successful. This scan is a mandatory requirement for cancer patients. This will be available to patients at a concession.

There will be efforts to do this test through donor funds. The Chief Minister, High Power Committee, Secretary of the Medical Education Department, Commissioner and others have made efforts for this facility.

(Dr Kailash Sharma, Academic Dean, Tata Memorial Hospital)