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A Medical Milestone: GSDH Inaugurates New Nuclear Medicine Equipment

If you or someone you love has ever been told to get an MRI or a nuclear medicine scan here in SOCCSKSARGEN, you probably know the drill—pack your bags, set aside extra cash, and prepare for a long, exhausting trip to Davao, Cebu, or even Metro Manila. For years, patients in our region had no choice but to endure not only the stress of their medical condition, but also the hassle, cost, and anxiety of traveling just to access life-saving diagnostic procedures.

But here’s the game-changer: General Santos Doctors Hospital, Inc. (GSDH) has just inaugurated its brand-new nuclear medicine equipment, and it’s about to make a world of difference for patients in Southern Mindanao.

The Big Upgrade: 1.5 Tesla Helium-Free MRI

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is one of the most advanced tools doctors use to look inside the body without surgery. It works by using strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of your organs, tissues, and bones.


Dr. Daniel G. Yap leads the ribbon cutting at the MRI room.


With GSDH’s upgrade to the 1.5 Tesla Helium-Free MRI, patients can now expect:

  • Sharper, more detailed images – This allows doctors to catch health issues like tumors, brain changes, or spinal problems much earlier. And in medicine, the earlier the diagnosis, the better the chances of successful treatment.

  • Faster scan times – Shorter procedures mean less stress for patients, especially for kids, seniors, or those who get uneasy inside the scanner.

  • Greater comfort and safety – Quieter scans and a smoother experience compared to older MRI machines.

  • Sustainable technology – Unlike traditional MRIs that depend on helium (a scarce and costly resource), this new helium-free system is designed to run reliably without supply interruptions.

For ordinary readers: imagine upgrading your old phone camera to the latest model—it doesn’t just take pictures, it captures tiny details you couldn’t see before. That’s what this MRI does for doctors, giving them clearer “pictures” of your body to guide treatment.

Introducing the Symbia Evo Excel Gamma Camera

General Santos Doctors Hospital is home to the first and only SPECT Gamma Imaging machine in Region XII


If MRI shows doctors what your body looks like, nuclear medicine answers a different question: how well is it actually working?

This is where GSDH’s new Symbia Evo Excel Gamma Camera comes in. The process is simple: a patient receives a very small amount of a radioactive substance (don’t worry, it’s safe and quickly leaves the body). The camera then detects the energy released and creates images showing how organs and tissues are functioning.

We usually just see these machines in movies, now it is available for the people of SOCCSKSARGEN.


Here’s what that means in real life:

  • For cancer patients – Doctors can detect tumors, check if cancer has spread, and see if treatments are working.

  • For heart patients – It can measure blood flow to the heart, helping doctors diagnose blocked arteries or damage after a heart attack.

  • For thyroid and bone conditions – It identifies problems in the thyroid gland or detects infections, fractures, or bone cancer spread.

  • For personalized treatment – Since the camera shows function, not just structure, doctors can tailor care to each patient’s unique needs.

Think of it this way: a regular photo shows what a house looks like from the outside, but a gamma camera is like checking if the lights, water, and electricity inside the house are working properly.


What This Means for Patients

The arrival of these two powerhouse technologies means patients in General Santos and neighboring provinces no longer have to endure weeks of waiting or long trips to other cities just to get these advanced procedures. It means earlier diagnoses, quicker treatments, and the comfort of knowing that world-class healthcare is now available right here at home.


The Sox Bloggers Society witnessed the inauguration of the new medical equipment at General Santos Doctors Hospital

A Step Toward World-Class Healthcare in SOCCSKSARGEN

The inauguration of the 1.5 Tesla Helium-Free MRI and the Symbia Evo Excel Gamma Camera is more than just a hospital upgrade—it’s a promise of accessibility, convenience, and hope for thousands of families in the region.

No more costly trips to Manila. No more long nights worrying about where to go for critical scans. Now, patients in SOCCSKSARGEN can access these services in General Santos City, at a trusted hospital that continues to push boundaries for better healthcare.

With these upgrades, General Santos Doctors Hospital reaffirms its role as a leader in advanced healthcare in the south, bringing cutting-edge technology closer to the people who need it most.

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