ADK Hospital has introduced Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography (PET-CT) services.
A PET-CT scanner is a sophisticated medical imaging device that combines two powerful imaging techniques. The PET-CT scanner plays a crucial role in oncology, where it is used for cancer diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning. It is also valuable in evaluating brain disorders and cardiovascular diseases, among other medical conditions. The integrated PET-CT scan provides valuable information to guide treatment decisions and monitor the effectiveness of therapies, leading to improved patient care and outcomes.
ADK Hospital has created a specialised department to provide the PET-CT service. Managing Director Ahmed Afzal said the hospital is committed to expanding its efforts to improve the health services in the Maldives. He expressed his belief that with the introduction of this service, the need to go abroad for PET scans will come to an end.
Additionally, Afzal highlighted the challenges in launching the PET-CT scan service and said that new guidelines had to be developed to launch the service. Other challenges include the importation of nuclear injections and the fact that the drug cannot be stored for a long time. He added that the medicines and other equipment needed to provide the service are imported from India.
Furthermore, Chief Medical Officer and Pediatrician Dr. Abdulla Niyaf said PET-CT scans mainly detect cancer and determine the extent of cancer spread and see if the cancer has been eradicated after treatment. He said the service can also be used to detect neurological diseases and diabetes.
The PET-CT scan service currently costs around USD520. However, ADK Hospital is in discussions to reduce the price through national health insurance, Aasandha, and National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).