Breather for patients: PET Scan facility gets green signal at GMC Srinagar

Srinagar, Feb 28: On a optimistic note, J&K Medical Supplies Corporation (JKMSCL) today said that it was “aggressively pursuing” procurement of PET-CT Scan machine for GMC Srinagar, and the process is expected to be completed in 2026 itself, bringing a relief to the waiting times for critical cancer diagnostics.

Speaking to Greater Kashmir, JKMSCL Managing Director (MD), Tariq Ahmed Ganai said that the tender for PET-Scan has been “re-floated” as the earlier tender response was found to have some “errors”. The bidding process is restarting “soon”. He further said that the Corporation was “aggressively pursuing” timely completion of the procurement process so that the critical cancer diagnostic equipment is made functional at GMC Srinagar. “We understand the importance of the PET-CT Scan at GMC Srinagar. This will greatly help the patients,” Ganai said. He further said that the corporation was “simultaneously” working out other modalities for installation at the medical college. “We have written to GMC Srinagar to identify and prepare a site for the PET Scan,” he said.

At GMC Srinagar, an official said, a site near Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar had been chosen for the Scan. “The medical college has already completed the process of identifying the space in accordance with the guidelines of regulatory authorities for such equipment,” he said.

Currently, there is only one PET-CT Scan facility available in Government sector in Kashmir, at SKIMS Soura. Medical practitioners have advocated the gap, arguing that the single facility was proving counter-productive for timely cancer diagnosis.

J&K Government has allocated Rs 124.83 crores towards major healthcare upgrades, including PET-CT Scan at GMC Srinagar.

GMC Srinagar is emerging as a major cancer treatment facility, its data reflecting advancements in diagnosis and care. Recently, Health and Medical Education released figures in Assembly, that showed in the past four years, 6016 cancer patients were registered at GMC Srinagar for cancer treatment. The number of cancer patients registered is incrasing every year, the data shows. The progress is impressive given that GMC Srinagar does not have a full-fledged cancer center. The upgrading of diagnostic facilities, as well as cancer treatment options available at the hospitals of GMC Srinagar need urgent focus, stakeholders feel. Delay in diagnosis worsens the outcomes for cancers.

PET-CT Scan is an equipment that combines PET abd Computed Tomography (CT) to give 3-D images that provide both functional and anatomical information. This imaging is now considered crucial for cancer diagnosis and treatment regimen.