The Pakistan Medical Association Lahore has raised an alarm over the continued non-functionality of a Gamma Camera installed at Mayo Hospital in Lahore, 24NewsHD TV reported on Sunday.
In a statement, PMA Lahore President Prof Shahid Malik said the imaging facility, installed around six years ago through a third-party arrangement, remained largely non-operational despite repeated efforts by hospital authorities to secure regulatory approvals from the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority and the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology.
The Gamma Camera is an essential tool for nuclear imaging, used in diagnosing complex medical conditions.
Its unavailability has forced patients, particularly those relying on public healthcare, to seek costly alternatives elsewhere.
The PMA noted that the contractor, Digionics, had earlier provided limited support, conducting around 220 diagnostic tests free of charge, with the most recent carried out in March 2026.
However, these services have not continued regularly.
According to the association, the company has submitted three proposals to make the facility fully operational: outsourcing services with human resources at Rs14,000 per test, outsourcing without human resources at Rs10,000 per test, or entering into an annual maintenance contract worth Rs12.5 million.
Malik urged the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department, Punjab, to urgently review and approve one of the options to ensure the immediate activation of the facility.
“The availability of such essential diagnostic services is crucial for improving patient care in public sector hospitals. Any further delay will continue to burden patients both financially and clinically,” he said.