Patients Get Major Diagnostic Boost as CM Opens Nuclear Medicine Block at IGMC Shimla
Shimla, April 2: Patients in Himachal Pradesh received a big healthcare boost on Thursday as Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated a state-of-the-art Nuclear Medicine Block at Indira Gandhi Medical College, bringing advanced PET scan services within reach inside the state.
For thousands of patients—especially those battling cancer—this means relief from the long, costly trips to Chandigarh, Delhi, and other cities for critical diagnostic tests. With the new facility, early detection and monitoring of serious diseases will now be possible closer to home.
The Chief Minister said the PET scan facility marks a major leap in patient care, as it detects diseases at the metabolic and molecular level—far earlier than conventional CT or MRI scans. This early diagnosis is crucial in identifying cancers, tracking treatment response, and detecting recurrence.
Doctors highlighted that the new facility will significantly strengthen cancer care in the state. PET scans are widely used in diagnosing and managing a range of malignancies, including brain tumors, lung cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, and urological cancers. Beyond oncology, the technology will also aid in cardiology, neurology, and complex infection cases where traditional imaging falls short.
Reinforcing the government’s push for modern healthcare, Sukhu noted that a 3 Tesla MRI machine was recently installed at IGMC, and announced a massive plan to invest over ₹3,000 crore in upgrading medical technology across Himachal Pradesh.
In another announcement, he sanctioned ₹8 crore for installing a SPECT-CT scan machine at IGMC, which will further enhance diagnostic capabilities for patients.
Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, along with MLAs Harish Janartha and Sanjay Awasthy, and senior health officials were present at the inauguration.
