winner777 UP-PGH acquires PET-CT scanner

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has acquired the first state-owned positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scanner, benefitting indigent patients who need access to advanced diagnostic services.

Apart from the PET-CT scanner, the PGH also acquired a new centralized intensive care unit, which can accommodate 32 patients and a 128-slice CT scanner.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte also vowed to launch a parallel probe and provide legal support to the victims to help strengthen their case against the accused, according to a statement on Friday. 

Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, director of the University of the Philippines-PGH, said the acquisition of the equipment aims to enhance services in the country’s largest tertiary hospital.

“We have leveled the field for poor patients who will use this machine 80 percent of the time versus 20 percent for paying patients,” Legaspi said.

The PET-CT scanner currently accommodates up to eight patients daily and will scale up to 15 with regular operations.

“We need this machine badly because it has become central to the diagnosis of cancer, which is a major concern of our health care system,” Legaspi said.

A PET scan uses small amounts of radioactive material to detect diseases such as cancer, heart failure and brain disorders by showing how tissues and organs function.

A CT scan provides cross-sectional images of the body, helping pinpoint abnormalities.

A PET-CT scan combines both, giving doctors a comprehensive view in a single session.

UP-PGH serves more than 700,000 patients annually and remains the country’s leading institution for health care professional training.

“As the national university hospital, PGH is committed to providing cost-effective and accessible health carewinner777, world-class education as well as impactful health research,” Legaspi said.