CM Nayab Saini Reviews PET-CT Scanner Plan for Ambala Cancer Hospital
Synopsis
Chief Minister Nayab Saini chaired a review meeting on 1 July 2026 in Chandigarh to plan the installation of a PET-CT scan machine at Ambala Cancer Hospital, directing officials to finalise tender conditions within 15 days and ensure affordable rates for cancer patients.
Key Takeaways
CM Nayab Saini chaired a review meeting with Haryana Health Department officials in Chandigarh on 1 July 2026 .
The meeting centred on installing a digital technology-based PET-CT scan machine at Ambala Cancer Hospital .
Officials were directed to prepare and submit tender conditions within 15 days for approval.
The government has emphasised ensuring affordable diagnostic rates for cancer patients at the facility.
The initiative aligns with Haryana's ongoing expansion of oncology services under the NPCDCS framework active since 2018.
The key next milestone is the issuance of the tender around mid-July 2026 .
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini chaired a review meeting with Haryana Health Department officials in Chandigarh on 1 July 2026 to assess the installation of a state-of-the-art PET-CT scan machine at the Ambala Cancer Hospital. The meeting focused on improving cancer care access and ensuring affordable diagnostic rates for patients.
The Chief Minister's Office announced the meeting on X, stating that discussions covered better and accessible healthcare facilities for cancer patients, the installation of a digital taknik aadharit PET-CT scan machine (digital technology-based PET-CT scan machine), and ensuring affordable rates for patients.
Context
The Ambala Cancer Hospital is a government oncology facility in Ambala district, Haryana, catering to cancer patients across the region. A PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography) scanner is a critical diagnostic tool that combines metabolic and anatomical imaging, enabling precise staging and monitoring of cancer. Access to such equipment in government hospitals significantly reduces the financial burden on patients who would otherwise seek scans at private centres.
At the meeting, CM Saini directed officials to prepare tender conditions within the next 15 days and submit them for approval, while also expediting the overall installation process.
Policy Backdrop
Haryana's push for advanced oncology diagnostics is rooted in a broader national framework. Since 2018, the state has been expanding cancer services in district hospitals under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS). Successive administrations have prioritised PET-CT and radiotherapy capacity in secondary-care facilities as part of a wider shift toward managing non-communicable diseases.
CM Nayab Singh Saini, who has led the state since March 2024, has continued this trajectory, with the Haryana government pursuing incremental upgrades of diagnostic equipment in public hospitals to curb out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure for patients.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries of this initiative are cancer patients in Haryana, particularly those from lower-income groups who rely on government facilities. A PET-CT machine at the Ambala Cancer Hospital would eliminate the need to travel to private hospitals in cities like Delhi or Chandigarh for advanced scans, which can cost several thousand rupees per session.
The Haryana Health Department will be responsible for finalising the tender specifications, selecting a vendor, and overseeing installation. The emphasis on 'affordable rates' signals that the government may introduce subsidised or capped pricing for scans at the facility.
What's Next
The immediate milestone is the preparation and submission of tender conditions within 15 days of the 1 July meeting — placing the deadline around mid-July 2026. Stakeholders and health advocates will be watching whether the tender is issued on schedule and what budgetary allocation accompanies it.
Any announcement of an installation timeline or pricing structure in the Haryana State Assembly or through a formal Health Department order will be the next significant marker for this initiative.
Point of View
Where PET-CT access has historically been concentrated in private facilities. Directing a 15-day tender deadline is a political commitment as much as an administrative one — it creates a measurable accountability marker that health advocates and opposition benches can track. The emphasis on 'affordable rates' also suggests the administration is aware of the political salience of out-of-pocket costs in a state where cancer incidence in districts like Ambala has drawn sustained public attention. Whether execution matches the directive will determine how much electoral credit the ruling party can credibly claim from this initiative.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at CM Nayab Saini's meeting about Ambala Cancer Hospital?
CM Nayab Saini directed Haryana Health Department officials to prepare tender conditions within 15 days for installing a PET-CT scan machine at Ambala Cancer Hospital and to ensure affordable rates for cancer patients.
What is a PET-CT scan machine and why is it important for cancer patients?
A PET-CT machine combines Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography to provide detailed metabolic and anatomical images, making it essential for accurately staging, diagnosing, and monitoring cancer. Its availability in a government hospital reduces costs for patients who would otherwise pay high fees at private centres.
When will the PET-CT scanner be installed at Ambala Cancer Hospital?
No installation date has been announced yet. CM Saini directed officials on 1 July 2026 to submit tender conditions within 15 days, placing the tender deadline around mid-July 2026, after which procurement and installation timelines will be determined.
Which government scheme supports cancer care expansion in Haryana?
Haryana has been expanding oncology services under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) since 2018, which supports diagnostic equipment upgrades in district-level government hospitals.
Who will benefit from the PET-CT machine at Ambala Cancer Hospital?
Cancer patients in Haryana, especially those from lower-income groups who depend on government hospitals, will benefit. The machine will reduce the need to travel to private hospitals in cities like Delhi or Chandigarh for advanced scans.
