PET Scan Services Resume at Government Hospitals

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The registration of patients for PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan services at government hospitals has officially resumed, following the restoration of the service which had been recently disrupted.

Since March 27th of 2026, these essential diagnostic tests were completely halted due to a shortage of the radioactive tracer a radiopharmaceutical required for the scans. 

The shortage was due to a registration issue involving the company that previously imported the chemical.

Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, confirmed that the necessary medical supplies will be imported as usual moving forward.

A PET scan is a vital diagnostic tool that allows medical professionals to accurately identify cancerous cells and monitor their activity, determine the exact extent to which cancer cells have spread throughout the body, confirm whether cancer cells have been successfully eradicated following treatment.