Shimla, May 26
Nearly two months after the launch of the state government sector’s only advanced PET scan facility at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), cancer patients are facing long waiting periods due to rising demand and limited daily slots.
Hospital authorities said that around 145 patients have undergone PET scan investigations since the machine became operational. While the facility has brought major relief to patients by offering affordable diagnostic services within the state, the increasing rush has resulted in waiting periods ranging from seven days to nearly a month.
The PET scan is considered crucial for early detection and treatment planning in cancer cases. Delays in getting the scan done are affecting timely treatment for several patients suspected of suffering from serious illnesses.
According to IGMC management, the machine has the technical capacity to conduct around six to nine scans per day. However, currently only five to eight patients are being scanned daily, due to operational limitations. As a result, the backlog of pending cases continues to grow.
Before the installation of the PET scan machine at IGMC, patients had to travel to private diagnostic centres, PGI Chandigarh or other major institutes for the test, involving higher costs and longer travel. Private diagnostic centres charge nearly Rs 22,000 for a PET scan, while the same facility is being provided at IGMC for around Rs 10,000.
The state government has repeatedly stressed improving healthcare infrastructure and diagnostic services, but patients are now demanding an increase in daily scanning capacity to reduce waiting time and ensure quicker treatment.
