The Sri Lankan government is considering to set up a cyclotron that is needed to operate the PET CT scanners at the national hospitals.
The government says if the PET CT Scanners are to be used successfully and effectively in the country, it is absolutely essential to have a Cyclotron Plant in Sri Lanka.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans are used to detect what’s happening inside cells of the tissues and organs of the human body, especially to detect growing tumors and to determine whether they are cancerous or treatable.
PET scanners use a radioactive isotope called Fluorine-18 which is generated by the cyclotron and bound to glucose. This tracer known as FDG 18 is then injected into patients and doctors observe where it travels and whether there’s a cancer inside the body.
The service of a PET CT Scanner is essential for the purpose of observing the cancer related growth, to assess the response and to provide accurate treatment of cancer patients.
As of now, only one such PET CT Scanner is available in a private hospital in Sri Lanka and about Rs.150,000 is charged to obtain an examination report and an exorbitant sum has to be paid for the radioactive drug FDG 18 as well, used for the purpose.
A PET CT Scanner has been commissioned at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka and another such scanner will also be commissioned at the Apeksha Cancer Hospital, Maharagama, in future. The radioactive tracer FDG 18 will be needed for those scanners as well in the future.
As a remedial measure, M/s Access International (Pvt.) Ltd. has submitted a proposal to commission a Cyclotron Plant in Sri Lanka, subject to entering into a purchase agreement within a specific time period.
Considering the importance of this proposal, the cabinet has given its approval to a proposal made by the Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne to appoint a Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee to evaluate the said project proposal and conduct relevant negotiations.
