The Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Lyashko held a working meeting dedicated to the creation of two modern nuclear medicine centers in Ukraine, which will significantly expand the capabilities of modern diagnostics of oncological diseases.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Lviv Regional Council Yuriy Kholod, the leadership of the Lviv National Medical University named after Danylo Halytsky, the Lviv Oncological Regional Treatment and Diagnostic Center, and the State Enterprise “Medical Procurement of Ukraine”.
It is expected that the new centers will be created in two cities – in Kyiv on the basis of the National Cancer Institute, as well as in Lviv on the basis of the Lviv National Medical University named after Danylo Halytsky in cooperation with the Lviv cancer center.
The State Enterprise “Medical Procurement of Ukraine” on behalf of the Ministry of Health has already purchased two sets of necessary equipment for the creation of nuclear medicine centers for a total amount of UAH 445.05 million including VAT. The project was financed with the support of the European Union within the framework of the Ukraine Facility instrument. Thanks to the results of the auction, it was possible to purchase equipment 31.5% cheaper than the expected cost. Given the long production cycle of the cyclotron — the main element of the equipment — the delivery is planned no earlier than July 2027.
To ensure a timely launch, active preparation for the implementation of the project is already underway: technical specifications for the premises are being formed, work is underway to prepare for the construction of protective bunkers. Funds for these needs are provided for in the draft state budget for 2026. This will allow to start its installation without delay immediately after the equipment is delivered to Ukraine.
Each set of equipment for creating a nuclear medicine center contains 46 items. The main element is a cyclotron – a particle accelerator that directs a beam of energy at special materials or capsules (targets). The centers also provide for the arrangement of radiochemical laboratories for the production of radiopharmaceuticals, which are made on the basis of radioisotopes “mined” by the cyclotron.
Most often, a fluorine isotope is used for this, which is embedded in a glucose molecule, because it is the main source of energy for cells. Tumor cells consume more glucose than healthy ones, because they grow and divide faster.
Therefore, after the introduction of such a radiopharmaceutical into the patient’s body, it accumulates in tissues affected by oncology and “highlights” these areas during a PET-CT scan (positron emission computed tomography). Such diagnostics help to accurately determine the stage of cancer and assess the effectiveness of treatment.
The half-life of a fluorine-based radiopharmaceutical is approximately 110 minutes — this is a very short time, so transportation over long distances is impossible. It is for this reason that medical institutions are equipping nuclear medicine centers, which allows the production of radiopharmaceuticals directly next to PET-CT rooms.
The creation of two new nuclear medicine centers is an important step towards providing Ukrainians with wider access to modern diagnostics. This will improve cancer detection and increase the effectiveness of treatment for thousands of patients. Preparatory work is ongoing.
