Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on 2 April 2026 inaugurated the Nuclear Medicine Block at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, marking a significant step toward strengthening advanced diagnostic services in the state’s public healthcare system.
PET Scan Facility Now Available in Government Sector
With the inauguration of the new facility, patients in Himachal Pradesh will now have access to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan services within the state in the government sector.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister noted that this is the first facility of its kind in the state. As a result, patients who previously had to travel outside Himachal Pradesh for PET scans will now be able to receive these advanced diagnostic services locally.
PET Technology Enables Early Disease Detection
As reported by Hindustan Times, the Chief Minister emphasised that PET scan technology allows early detection of diseases at the metabolic and molecular levels.
Unlike conventional imaging techniques such as CT scans and MRI, which typically detect structural changes at later stages, PET scans can identify physiological and biochemical changes much earlier. Consequently, doctors can diagnose diseases sooner and initiate timely treatment.
Crucial Tool in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Sukhu further highlighted the critical role of PET scans in cancer management. The technology assists doctors in several aspects of oncology care, including:
- Cancer staging and restaging
- Monitoring treatment response
- Detecting disease recurrence
- Assessing prognosis
In addition, PET scans are widely used in the diagnosis and management of multiple malignancies such as brain tumours, head and neck cancers, thyroid carcinoma, lung cancer, pleural malignancies, thymic tumours, esophagogastric carcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and various urological and testicular cancers.
State Plans Major Investment in Healthcare Technology
Highlighting the government’s broader healthcare vision, the Chief Minister stated that the state administration remains committed to introducing high-end medical technologies across healthcare institutions.
He noted that he recently inaugurated a three Tesla MRI machine at IGMC, further strengthening the hospital’s diagnostic capabilities.
Looking ahead, the state government plans to invest more than ₹3,000 crore to upgrade technology across all medical colleges and healthcare institutions in Himachal Pradesh. The initiative aims to provide affordable, high-quality healthcare services closer to people’s homes.
₹8 Crore Sanctioned for SPECT-CT Scan Machine
To further enhance diagnostic infrastructure, the Chief Minister also announced ₹8 crore for the establishment of a SPECT-CT scan machine at IGMC Shimla.
Once operational, the SPECT-CT system will complement the nuclear medicine services, enabling doctors to perform advanced imaging procedures for better diagnosis and treatment planning.
Overall, the inauguration of the Nuclear Medicine Block marks an important step toward expanding advanced diagnostic facilities and strengthening public healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh.