Shimla: In a major step towards strengthening specialized healthcare services, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the Nuclear Medicine Block at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla. The facility is expected to significantly enhance access to advanced diagnostic services within the state’s public healthcare system.
First Government PET Scan Facility in the State
The Chief Minister highlighted that the newly inaugurated unit will provide Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan services within the government sector—making it the first such facility in Himachal Pradesh. This development will reduce the need for patients to travel outside the state for high-end diagnostic tests.
Early Detection with Advanced Imaging Technology
The PET scan facility allows early detection of diseases at the metabolic and molecular levels. Unlike conventional imaging techniques such as CT and MRI, which primarily detect structural changes, PET technology identifies physiological changes at a much earlier stage, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
Key Role in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
According to officials, the facility will play a crucial role in staging and restaging cancers, evaluating treatment response, detecting recurrence, and prognostication. PET scans are widely used in diagnosing multiple malignancies, including brain tumors, head and neck cancers, thyroid, lung, breast, colorectal, and urological cancers.
Expanding Use Beyond Oncology
With advancements in tracers and imaging techniques, PET scans are increasingly being used in cardiology, neurology, and for assessing infections and inflammatory diseases—especially in cases where conventional imaging methods are inconclusive.
₹3,000 Crore Investment Planned for Healthcare Upgrade
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to modernizing healthcare, the Chief Minister stated that over ₹3,000 crore will be invested to upgrade technology across medical colleges and health institutions in the state. The goal is to deliver affordable, world-class healthcare services closer to people’s homes.
SPECT-CT Machine Also Announced
In addition, an allocation of ₹8 crore has been announced for the installation of a SPECT-CT scan machine at IGMC Shimla, further strengthening diagnostic capabilities at the institution.
Key Dignitaries Present
The event was attended by Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, MLAs Harish Janartha and Sanjay Awasthy, Secretary Health M. Sudha Devi, and other senior officials from the health department.
