Pune, 5th November 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has begun preparations to set up a PET Scan and Radio-Diagnostic Centre under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, to make cancer dignosis more affordable. The facility is expected to start functioning within the next few months, according to Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram.
Currently, no PMC-run or government hospital in Pune provides PET scan services. As a result, many patients, especially those from low-income groups, are forced to seek treatment at expensive private hospitals. The high cost often leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment. To bridge this gap, the civic body will offer PET scans at government-approved CGHS rates, making the test far more affordable.
The upcoming diagnostic centre will be housed in the ongoing Vasantdada Patil Training Centre building, located next to the Hirabaug Health Post in Swargate. Commissioner Ram recently visited the site to review the progress. Senior health officials, including Health Department Chief Dr. Nina Borade and Assistant Health Officer Dr. Sanjeev Wavre, were also present.
Along with PET scan services, the facility will feature MRI, CT scan, pathology and biochemistry labs, and other advanced diagnostic equipment. Once operational, PMC is expected to become the first municipal corporation in the country to offer PET scans and radio-diagnostic services within its own public health system.
The civic administration aims to complete the project by December 2025 and is working to fast-track development. Dr. Sanjeev Wavre said the project has been designed to ensure that financially weak cancer patients are not denied essential tests due to high costs. He added that the administration has instructed officials to stick to the timeline so that services begin as soon as possible.
Cancer cases have steadily risen in Pune in recent years. Medical experts stress that timely diagnosis is key to improving treatment outcomes, but many patients avoid testing because private scans are unaffordable. By offering PET scans at CGHS rates, PMC hopes to reduce the financial burden and help more patients detect cancer early.