A big chunk of the medical imaging department within Mater Dei Hospital has been practically redesigned in order to make room for a PET-CT scanner alongside a waiting area and the building of adequate structural shielding to protect awaiting patients from radiation emissions.
It is understood that both the scanner and patients undergoing the procedure emit radiation and therefore specialised planning was needed to reconstruct the whole area.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was addressing the press following the inauguration of the specialised equipment today, the investment of which reached a total of three million euros.
He was accompanied by Health Minister Joe Cassar and the Swiss Ambassador to Malta Bernardino Regazzoni.
Positron emission tomography - computed tomography (better known by its acronym PET-CT or PET/CT), is a medical imaging technique using a device which combines, in a single gantry system, both Positron emission tomography (PET) and an X-ray Computed Tomography, so that the reconstruction of two- and three-dimensional images can be acquired from both devices and be taken sequentially, in the same session from the patient and combined into a single superposed co-registered image.
PET-CT has revolutionised many fields of medical diagnosis by adding precision of anatomic localisation to functional imaging, which was previously lacking from pure PET imaging. For example, in oncology, surgical planning and cancer staging have been changing rapidly under the influence of PET-CT availability, to the extent that many diagnostic imaging procedures and centres have been gradually abandoning conventional PET devices and substituting them by PET-CTs.
Dr Gonzi lauded the ongoing cooperation between the Maltese and Swiss government, adding that a number of health professionals underwent specialised training in Switzerland in order to be able to operate the new equipment. He said the government invested in yet another fundamental piece of equipment in its ongoing fight against cancer.
The Prime Minister thanked the Swiss ambassador for his ongoing support.
Mr Regazzoni said that he was aware of the importance the diagnosis of cancer was being given in Malta, adding that the new equipment will help make things easier.
"In an ideal world, such equipment should stand unused but illnesses are a part of life," he said.
Mr Regazzoni highlighted that the training centre in his hometown of Belinsone is a centre of excellence.
Dr Gonzi pointed out that it is vital to invest in medical equipment however investing in health professionals is also important.
He lauded the professionalism shown, referring to the two nuclear medicine physicians involved in the government’s latest health-related project, (the PET-CT equipment), adding that this all showed the high level of professionalism adopted in our health sector.
He added that this is another investment in “our cancer battle” while further pointing out that medical students can now undergo specialised training in terms of PET-CT scan-related training on their own soil and not have to resort to overseas training.
Health Minister Joe Cassar said that the whole system will be up and running by March since a the project commissioning process is still to be conducted.
Since certain procedures could create discomfort or anxiety or even fear among patients, local agents for Philips donated a dynamic coloured lighting system alongside projected thematic images for both children and adults designed to relax and soothe.