Nagpur GMCH to Launch Maharashtra's First Nuclear Medicine Department

A nuclear medicine department is about to open at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur, making it the first in the state. Typically, this department is seen in private settings. A report in a local daily stated that GMCH will be the first government-run organization where this significant department has taken up residence.

The department's infrastructure is prepared. The procedure for staff appointments has also been finished. It is currently waiting for its formal inauguration. The ground level of Super Specialty Hospital (SSH), GMCH will house the Nuclear Medicine Department. It took the hospital more than seven years to find this department.

Recently, Dr. Raj Gajbhiye, the GMCH Dean, pursued this matter with the Government and ultimately secured approval. Devendra Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of the Nagpur district, took the initiative in this case and approved more than Rs 9.5 crore in funding from the District Planning Committee. A local daily was informed by Dr. Gajbhiye that this department will be altering its therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. The medical services provided at GMCH will significantly improve. Patients used to have to go to places like Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, etc. He remarked, "We now have all treatment facilities in Nagpur."

Dr Gajbhiye pointed out, “The nuclear medicine department will bring a revolutionary change to the GMCH. The patients suffering from heart and cancer ailments along with problems of endocrinology, thyroid, kidney, neuro will be the major beneficiaries. We have developed an infrastructure while the independent staff and other manpower has been outsourced. The agency has taken all responsibility. Once the department is inaugurated, the healthcare scenario of Central India will be changed.”

Following services will be available:

• Whole Body PET-CT

• Cardiac PET-CT

• Neuro PET-CT

• PET-CT based Radiotherapy Planning

• PET-CT guided Biopsy and FNA

• Renal Scan

• Thyroid scan

• Liver scan

• Parathyroid scan

• Bone scan

• Brain Perfusion scan

• Cardiac scan

• Lung perfusion scan

• GI bleed scan

• Meckel’s diverticulum scan

• Sentinel Lymph Node

• Lymphoscintigraphy

• Radiosynovectomy

• Pain Palliation

• Radioiodine therapy For hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer

Reference- Nagpur Today : Nagpur News. “Maha’s first Nuclear Medicine Department likely to start at Nagpur GMCH soon,” August 26, 2024. https://www.nagpurtoday.in/mahas-first-nuclear-medicine-department-likely-to-start-at-nagpur-gmch-soon/08261807.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Priyanka Pandey)