Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stone of the first PET Scan Block at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, on Friday to be constructed at a cost of ₹45.68 crore, including ₹21 crore single positron emission tomography (PET) CT machine, ₹9 crore for photon emission computerised tomography (SPECT) CT machine and ₹15.68 crore for civil works.
The chief minister said that the patients of the state had to travel to Chandigarh or Delhi for a PET scan which was expensive. He said that the present state government was committed to providing world-class facilities to patients within the state. He said that once the PET block is completed, it would facilitate the detection of cancer, response and follow-up, besides benefits to cardiology, psychiatry, urology and other departments.
The PET block would be a three-story building with modern amenities for patients, doctors, and paramedical staff besides parking space for about 50 vehicles, he added.
PET scan facilities in all Medical Colleges
The CM said that the government aims to establish PET scan facilities in all medical colleges within a year and has also allocated ₹400 crore for the Centre of Excellence for Cancer Care in Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur. The government recognises that the number of cancer patients was increasing in the state and has earmarked funds in the budget for the study of cancer causes.
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He said the state government has accorded the health sector top priority and efforts were being made to provide world-class medical facilities by eliminating the referral system in government hospitals.
The state government has made special provisions for the health sector in the budget, including the establishment of a Department of Medical Emergency in all medical colleges so that people do not face any inconvenience in getting prompt treatment. He said that this department would have one staff nurse per bed in the ICU, one staff nurse per three beds in the casualty ward and one doctor for every 10 beds, with duty limited to eight hours. The government has also allocated ₹11 crores to set up a 175-bed medical emergency facility with a trauma centre at the IGMC, Shimla, he added.
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