Heartbreaking story of a 'million-dollar' PET/CT scanner forced into involuntary unemployment.

Since the cyclotron at Cho Ray Hospital – the only one in the South producing and supplying radioactive isotopes – ceased operation, the "million-dollar machines" used for PET/CT scans have also been left idle.

The PET/CT scanning room at the Oncology Hospital was "closed and locked," as seen in this photo taken on the morning of June 24.

According to Cho Ray Hospital, the new cyclotron is expected to be operational in about six months. Therefore, the radiopharmaceuticals needed for PET/CT scans at Cho Ray Hospital, the Oncology Hospital, Military Hospital 175, and Kien Giang Oncology Hospital will also have to wait until then.

This means that the PET/CT scanning systems – dubbed "million-dollar machines" – in these hospitals have to cease operation.

A reporter from Tuoi Tre Online visited the PET/CT scanning system at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital - one of the three modern systems in Ho Chi Minh City - and observed a deserted scene with "doors locked" as there were no patients waiting for PET/CT scans.

Dr. Diep Bao Tuan, director of the Oncology Hospital, said that the PET/CT scanning system is used to diagnose, assess the stage, and monitor the effectiveness of treatment for diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders.

Previously, more than 10 patients were scheduled for PET/CT scans every day. Some experts even stated that when PET/CT scans were not possible, doctors would prescribe alternative solutions such as CT scans or MRI scans, depending on the individual case.

However, Dr. Quoc Thinh - president of the Vietnam Palliative Care Medicine Association, former deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital - explained that MRI and CT cannot replace PET/CT because the accuracy of CT and MRI scans cannot match that of PET/CT.

"PET/CT is the pinnacle of accurate diagnostic imaging. MRI and CT scans show images of lesions and tumors, but they are not specific about whether they are benign or malignant. However, PET/CT scans reveal them very clearly," Dr. Thinh explained.

A series of photos shows the PET/CT scanning system at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital "covered in dust":

The PET/CT scanning system at the Oncology Hospital is a high-end system, offering the flexibility of independent CT diagnostics, but unfortunately, it is now "out of service".

This is not the first time patients have encountered difficulties when the available equipment malfunctions, preventing their use.

An undesirable situation has occurred: many patients in the southern region are not able to use PET/CT scanning technology to assess the stage and effectiveness of cancer treatment.

This PET/CT scanning system has to be shut down.

The waiting area for family members and patients waiting for injections and PET/CT scans at the Oncology Hospital was photographed before it ceased operations.

Patients receive radioactive injections at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, and doctors and patients must interact through a lead-glass partition.

The Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital is equipped with a high-end Discovery MI DR PET/CT system, offering the flexibility of independent CT diagnostics, capable of scanning 10 patients per day before ceasing operation.

Now, patients will have to travel around instead of being able to get PET/CT scans right at the hospital as they did in the past.

Doctors and medical staff monitored the PET/CT scan process for patients some time ago.

THUY DUONG - DUYEN PHAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/xot-xa-voi-co-may-trieu-do-chup-pet-ct-that-nghiep-bat-dac-di-20250624130645222.htm