HCG – MSR Cancer Centre, a network hospital of Health Care Global has now installed the country's first ever Positron Emission Tomography/ Computed Tomography (PET/CT) machine. Designed by GE Healthcare, the Discovery IQ, PET-CT molecular imaging system is the first machine designed in India and for India and the world.
The indigenously manufactured equipment used in both precise cancer detection and follow-up treatment modalities now provides a major relief to patients not just in India but globally too. The cost of diagnostics in India will be around US$ 300 as compared with US$ 1,800-2000 respectively.
“We have been able to bring down the cost of cancer treatment lower than Africa and Mauritius too which is 3.5 times and 5 times more than India respectively. We would also support economically backward patients in India at a subsidized cost,” said Dr B S Ajaikumar – chairman – HCG Enterprises who also was part of the GE core committee when Discovery IQ, PET-CT was being developed.
“Designing in India, an affordable technology solution for healthcare is not only a bold step but it improves accessibility and affordability as well. Imported the same equipment costs healthcare providers Rs.8 crore as compared to the version Made in India which is Rs.5 crore. Our hospital already has four imported machines Now the patients in north Bengaluru and surrounding districts not only have easy access to the machine for diagnosis and treatment to get accurate information regarding their disease status but also the convenience of getting the treatment response evaluation can be done at MSR itself,” he added.
As molecular imaging is the core of healthcare imaging technologies. While CT provides details on the structure of cell in the body, PET said Dr G Kilara, director, HCG MSR Cancer Centre adding that this is the first both for the country and North Bengaluru giving patients the much needed relief for faster diagnosis and access to treatment.
The investigative tech machine not only helps in the management of oncology cases, but also in cardiology, neurology and inflammatory/infective pathologies. PET-CT is now a standard protocol in the detection of cancer as per the international oncology care standards, said Dr Kilara.
HCG MSR Cancer Centre follows an integrated approach to cancer care, which provides treatment and support to patients. HCG and Gokula Education Foundation's Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Bengaluru joined hands to create North Bengaluru’s first multi-disciplinary cancer care centre. It is already equipped with the latest in cancer care treatment, including the advanced linear accelerator with a multi-leaf collimator which is capable of delivering sophisticated treatments like IGRT, IMRT, VMAT, SRS, SRT, SBRT etc and an MRI-compatible HDR brachytherapy system.
According to Dr KG Kallur, director, Nuclear Medicine - HCG said, with this PET CT clinicians will now have ready access to tools that will allow evidence based and cost effective treatment for patients.