PET-CT & Cyclotron Facility At Putrajaya Hospital Launched

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid Tuesday opened the PET-CT and Cyclotron Facility at Putrajaya Hospital here, marking the first phase of the formation of the National Cancer Institute.
The scanning of PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-Computerised Tomography) through the three-dimensional image would enable doctors to trace the active cells in cancer patients, making treatment more effective.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said, the use of the PET-CT technology had changed the treatment of several types of cancer including lungs, head and neck cancer.
Cyclotron is a machine to produce radiopharmaceutical such as isotop.
In his speech at the function, Dr Chua said the National Cancer Institute which would be set up at the hospital, would be a comprehensive cancer centre which could carry out treatment, rehabilitation, research and other activities connected with treatment of the disease.
Speaking to reporters after the function, he said the government had spent RM23 million on the new facilities at the Putrajaya and Penang Hospitals.
Dr Chua said, the two hospitals currently could carry out scanning on five patients each a day and his ministry planned to equip the Johor Baharu Hospital with similar facilities.
He said, patients who wished to use the service would be charged RM500 for a third class ward, RM5,000 (second class) and RM6,500 (first class).
"The cost is lower than in some other countries such as Singapore where patients are charged between RM8,000 and RM10,000," he said.
The new facility could trace cancer at an early stage, he added.
The Raja Permaisuri Agong later opened the Penyayang Pesakit Kanser (PPK) Positive Image Centre at the hospital.
PPK was initiated by Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia (Penyayang) and the centre is a cancer support initiative that sells aid for cancer patients including prostheses, support wear, swimwear, wigs and other credentials for cancer patients and survivors.
PPK has also developed Comfort Aide, a post-surgery kit comprising an edema support bra, a foam form and compression aid.
Penyayang Chairman Nori Abdullah was present.
Nori said her mother Datin Seri Endon Mahmood first saw a similar shop in Los Angeles while she was undergoing cancer treatment there and felt that Malaysians would benefit by having a similar shop here.
"Positive Image is the realisation of mother's vision," she said in a statement released by Penyayang.