PET-CT Imaging Machine Set to Transform Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in East and Central Africa

PET CT Cancer scanner with cyclotron installation 

HCG unveils Kenya’s first advanced PET-CT scanner, revolutionizing cancer detection

In a major milestone for cancer care in Kenya and the region, Healthcare Global (HCG) Cancer Centre has unveiled East and Central Africa’s first-ever advanced Positron Emission Tomography (PET) CT scanner, coupled with a Cyclotron facility. The new technology is expected to transform the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of cancer and other diseases in the country.

Speaking during the launch, Dr.  B S Ajei Kumar, Executive Chairman of HCG Hospitals, described the PET-CT and Cyclotron installation as a game-changer in Kenya’s fight against cancer. “This ultra-modern molecular imaging technology allows us to detect even a single cancer cell,” said Dr. Kumar. “It will enable doctors to precisely evaluate how the body is functioning, properly stage the cancer, and deliver targeted therapy through a new modality called theranostics.”

Previously, many Kenyan patients had to travel abroad to access such advanced diagnostic services. Dr. Kumar emphasized that the new machine would not only increase the accuracy of cancer diagnosis but also enhance treatment planning, giving patients hope for longer, healthier lives. “We aim to make cancer a manageable chronic disease through precise, individualized care,” he added.

The PET-CT technology will complement HCG’s existing programs, such as the use of gallium scanners for rhodesium and FAPI therapy, allowing oncologists to pinpoint cancerous cells with unprecedented precision. As HCG continues to expand its services, plans are underway to introduce more advanced treatments, including genomic-driven therapy and targeted molecular treatments.

Bhupendra Kumar Bharti, Chief Operating Officer at HCG Cancer Institute, highlighted another first: the use of gallium radio tracers with the PET-CT machine — a breakthrough available in very few places on the continent. “We are using gallium tracers for prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, FAPI scans, and full-body imaging,” he said, noting that such technology is rare even in countries like South Africa.

Since beginning operations two months ago, the PET-CT unit has already begun delivering outstanding results. HCG plans to expand the range of available radioactive tracers from four to 14 within the next few months, further enhancing cancer detection and personalized treatment.

Bharti also pointed out that cancer patients under Kenya’s newly launched Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme can now access PET-CT scans at significantly subsidized rates. “SHA covers 80 to 95 percent of the scan cost, meaning patients only pay about 5,000 to 6,000 shillings out of pocket,” he said. “No more selling land, organizing harambees, or traveling abroad to access life-saving scans.”

Cancer Survivors Share Stories of Hope

The impact of the new facility was powerfully illustrated by cancer survivors who shared their testimonies at the event.

Fatuma Idi, a survivor of stage 2 cancer, lauded the PET-CT technology for detecting her disease early and enabling effective treatment. “I was in a critical condition — my hands were dry, and my eyes were blackened. I underwent chemotherapy, and now I’m healthy again,” she shared.

Sister Ann Gathegu from the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary recounted how a routine wellness checkup saved her life. “I had no symptoms when I went for a screening, but the PET scan detected a lump in my breast,” she said. Diagnosed in February, Sister Anne underwent surgery followed by 20 sessions of radiotherapy at HCG, and she is now in recovery.

“Please, go for regular medical checkups,” Sister Ann urged. “Cancer is real. It is not a death sentence. Early detection and treatment can save lives.”

She also called on the community to support those battling the disease, emphasizing that when one patient is helped, the whole community benefits.

The launch of the PET-CT scanner at HCG Cancer Centre marks a significant leap forward in Kenya’s healthcare sector. With cutting-edge technology, improved access to care, and government-backed financial support through SHA, patients now have new hope for earlier detection, more effective treatment, and better survival outcomes — right here at home.