The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) at the 天美视频 (UP) Manila has acquired the country鈥檚 first government-owned positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scanner, ensuring indigent Filipinos have access to advanced diagnostic services. The PET-CT scan equipment, along with a new centralized intensive care unit accommodating 32 patients and a 128-slice CT scanner, aims to enhance services at the country鈥檚 largest tertiary hospital.
UP-PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi announced the inauguration of the new diagnostic equipment and critical care facilities. 鈥淲e have leveled the field for poor patients, who will use this machine 80% of the time versus 20% for paying patients,鈥� Legaspi said. The PET-CT scanner currently accommodates up to eight patients daily and will scale up to 15 with regular operations.
鈥淲e need this machine badly because it has become central to the diagnosis of cancer, a major concern of our healthcare system,鈥� Legaspi added.
A PET scan uses small amounts of radioactive material to detect diseases like cancer, heart disease, and brain disorders by showing how tissues and organs function. A CT scan provides cross-sectional images of the body, helping pinpoint abnormalities. A PET-CT scan combines both, giving doctors a comprehensive view in a single session.
UP-PGH is coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) to extend PET-CT services to non-PGH patients. DOH personnel and UP-PGH residents will receive training on the equipment, Legaspi said. The facility will also collaborate with specialists from other hospitals.
Legaspi highlighted PGH鈥檚 expanding capabilities in advanced medical interventions benefiting indigent patients. 鈥淎 market vendor from Paco, Manila, had a heart attack, underwent angiography, and had a stent implanted鈥攁ll within two hours, free of charge,鈥� he said.
The hospital鈥檚 first robotic surgery patient was a jeepney driver, Legaspi recalled. PGH also provides cochlear implants, valued at P1 million each, to indigent children. Breast cancer patients can undergo intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), receiving one-time radiation during surgery instead of 10 to 20 days of therapy.
Additionally, PGH neurosurgeons implant deep brain stimulation devices to treat X-linked dystonia parkinsonism (XDP), known as Lubag disease, primarily affecting males from Panay Island. The hospital also performs high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatments for tremors related to parkinsonism. PGH houses the country鈥檚 only brain-intervention HIFU machine, the second in Southeast Asia.
Other advanced treatments at PGH include transcranial magnetic stimulation for patients with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and addiction. A robotic gait trainer, recently installed at the rehabilitation medicine department, helps disabled patients regain mobility.
Legaspi thanked the Philippine government for supporting PGH. The hospital鈥檚 P7.72-billion allocation in 2024 represents one-third of UP鈥檚 total budget.
As a teaching hospital, PGH trains not only clinicians but also healthcare managers and administrators, essential for achieving universal healthcare, Legaspi said. 鈥淎ll of these developments are part of PGH鈥檚 long-term master plan.鈥�
UP-PGH serves more than 700,000 patients annually and remains the country鈥檚 leading institution for healthcare professional training. As the national university hospital, PGH is committed to providing cost-effective, compassionate, and accessible healthcare, world-class education, and impactful health research.
