DIRECTOR GINUM MESSAGE
The vital role of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission in its fight against cancer, is a well established reality. Its Nuclear Medical centers are serving a major bulk Of ailing humanity, from populated urban areas to far flung remote regions of Pakistan. GINUM is rather new in this battalion and only about six years have passed Since it became functional. However within this Short span of time it has made its mark in the region. As such a facility did not exist in this region previously, the number of patients visiting GINUM are increasing Exponentially every year. This is because of concerted efforts in introducing the facility among the local community of doctors and the public at large. Due to continual hard work and dedication of our team of doctors, scientists and staff, we have set high standards of quality in our services. We managed to attain ISO certification (ISO 9001: 2008) in a record short duration of time, within two years of being functional. GINUM takes pride in its unique relationship with local community of philanthropists and donors. This has nurtured into a strong bond of mutual trust with a common goal of helping cancer patients of the region. Due to these efforts we have managed to carry out multiple mega projects including purchase of new equipment such as mammography unit, computerized radiography system, portable ultrasound unit and a DEXA scanner. Our awareness and mass screening campaigns are also playing a major role in combating this deadly disease. Furthermore large scale projects have been completed by philanthropists such as building of mosque, construction of hostel and numerous others. A day care centre for employee’s children at GINUM has also been started since March, 2016.
Inshallah we can fight against cancer and can provide state of the art health care facilities to the patients. Our aim is to facilitate patients through early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Join hands with GINUM in alleviating the sufferings of cancer patients.
INTRODUCTION
Gujranwala Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Radiotherapy being a part of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in this regard is providing state of the art medical facilities in the region at international standards.GINUM is the 14th medical centre of PAEC which covers more than 20 million population of surrounding areas of Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Wazirabad, Hafizabad, Daska, Sambrial, Phalia, Kamonki, Narowal, Pasrur and Mandi bahuddin.
Gujranwala Institute of nuclear medicine and Radiotherapy (GINUM) was established on 01-10-2010 and is first of its kind in the region for diagnosis & treatment of Cancer. GINUM is situated in Nizampur, Gujranwala. Since inception, the institute is progressing and the number of patients reporting at the center is increasing day by day. Incidence of cancer is quite high in Pakistan and is on the rise. The institute aims to serve the population of about 20 million, from Gujranwala and its surrounding Districts including Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Gujrat, Narowal and Hafizabad. Previously patients from these areas had to travel to Lahore for their oncology and radiology needs.
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
Nuclear medicine department involves the use of small amounts of radioactive materials (or tracers) to help diagnose and treat a variety of diseases. Nuclear medicine determines the cause of the medical problem based on the function of the organ, tissue or bone. It has a well established hot lab equipped with biological safety cabinet where kits are being formulated for patient use in accordance with the international radiation safety guidelines. Therapeutic facilities for the patients of thyroid disorder are also being provided. Cardiac studies are also being conducted. The other test facilities include Bone Scan, Renal Scan, Thyroid Scan, and HIDA Scan; GI bleed Scan, Gastric Emptying Scan, Salivary gland scinitigraphy etc. Recently a DEXA scanner for assessing bone density has also been installed in the department. All these facilities did not exist in the region previously.
ONCOLOGY DEPARTMENT
The Department of Oncology is at the forefront of an ever-expanding field of cancer research. The Oncology department is dedicated to excellence in patient care. We have state of the art chemo bay in which we are administering chemotherapy for cancer treatment on day care basis. Furthermore consultation and proper guidance is being provided presently by senior oncologists. The oncology department is playing a key role in bringing the local physicians and surgeons together, by conducting regular multimodality seminars and meetings. This has helped a lot in generating awareness at regional level and is of paramount importance for early and optimal management of cancer patients. Further expansion of the department is planned in phase II with addition of wards and radiotherapy equipments.
RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Doctors use imaging tests to make pictures (images) of the inside of your body. Imaging tests can be used in many ways, including looking for cancer, to find out how far it has spread, and to help determine if cancer treatment is working. Radiology has become of paramount importance due to rapidly changing treatment trends in managing cancer patients. The radiology department at GINUM is equipped with latest 4D color Doppler Ultrasound unit, a portable 2D color Doppler ultrasound unit, an X-Ray machine and a Mammography unit. The mammography and x-ray images are digitized by a latest Computerized Radiography system. The needle based imaging plates of this CR system are the first of its kind in Pakistan. These greatly help in improving image resolution and decreasing the patient dose. Appropriate work up including FNA and core biopsies are being performed in the department. Conduction of regular Breast cancer awareness seminars and lectures and distribution of information brochures is also a regular feature. Further expansion of radiology department is planned in phase-II with addition of CT and MRI scanners.
WALK IN BREAST CLINIC
The walk in breast clinic is established for women presenting to the hospital with breast symptoms, both benign and malignant for prompt diagnosis and appropriate management guidance. It is being regularly conducted by radiology department. Hundreds of women with breast symptoms are being diagnosed and guided for further treatment.
MOBILE BREAST CANCER SCREENING UNIT
The radiology department also has a Mobile Mammography unit which is first of its kind in the region. It is used to conduct screening mammograms for early detection of breast cancer. Monthly screening camps are arranged in rural areas. These activities are very helpful in generating awareness and diagnosing cancers at an early stage.
RIA/CLINICAL DEPARTMENT
RIA/Clinical department have been established with skilled manpower ,having fully automated chemistry and hematology analyzers, Which make the results more reliable by omitting the manual errors.T3,T4,TSH,FSH, prolactin etc tests are regularly performed here.
MEDICAL PHYSICS DEPARTMENT:
The essential responsibility of the Medical Physics department is to assure the safe and effective delivery of radiation to achieve a diagnostic or therapeutic result as prescribed in patient care. The medical physics department performs and supervises the technical aspects of procedures necessary to achieve this objective. The responsibilities of the medical physicists include: protection of the patients and others from potentially harmful or excessive radiation, advancement of procedures necessary to ensure image quality, development and direction of quality assurance programs to guide other health care professionals in optimizing the balance between the beneficial and deleterious effects of radiation and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations. Our medical physics department is also involved in different research and teaching activities in collaboration with local universities.
IT/GSD DEPARTMENT:
The role of department is to provide technical services to other departments at GINUM. IT/GSD department provides professional services in the field of Electrical, Mechanical, electronics and IT. Goal of department is to ensure smooth working of medical equipments and other systems installed in GINUM by providing repair and preventive maintenance services. IT/GSD department also ensures smooth working of software packages (HMIS), updating of these software and implementation of cyber security guidelines.
CANCER PATIENTS WELFARE SOCIETY (CPWS)
Our well established CPWS is an asset for our institution and a driving force in our fight against cancer. The society is working for the welfare and treatment of poor patients. Since its inception CPWS has supported more than one thousand patients for their treatment. Apart from this, over a short span of time it has carried out multiple mega projects, such as purchase of mammography unit, CR system, construction of mosque etc.
CANCER AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS
Our enthusiastic team is continually busy, spreading regional awareness regarding early detection and prevention of cancer. Multiple large scale seminars and workshops are held frequently for doctors, health workers and the general population at large. To highlight these issues, days like World cancer day, No-tobacco day, World mammography day etc are celebrated regularly .GINUM also arranges free mammography camps on regular basis in surrounding areas and remote villages. Information leaflets and brochures are also distributed.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Being a part of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission we also involve in research and development activities. We have strong ties with local universities and colleges. We have signed a MoU with university of Gujrat and Nawaz Sharif Medical College, Gujrat. GINUM is recognized by CPSP for FCPS and MCPS in radiology. Since its inception GINUM has served many students for their research .Our doctors and scientists are extensively involved in research and development activities and their research work is being published at national and international journals.
FUTURE ENDEAVORS
In phase-I more emphasis was given on diagnostic facilities. Phase-II will provide upgraded diagnostic and therapeutic facilities including CT/MRI, Radiation therapy and indoor facilities.
