SITUATIE REVOLTATOARE AU INSTITUTULUI ONCOLOGIC BUCURESTI Over time, the Romanian Cancer Institute in Bucharest has been at the center of a shocking situation in which state-of-the-art medical equipment and a new building, worth 4 million euros, remain locked for over a year. The equipment in question is a digital PET-CT, one of the few in Europe, which has not been used due to lack of operating permits. This machine is essential for the diagnosis of cancer patients, but unfortunately, those in need have to be sent to private clinics. This leads to even more delays, as appointments can be difficult to obtain due to limited funds and the crucial time wasted can have a significant impact on a cancer patient's treatment outcome. One cancer patient told Digi24 journalist Carla Tănasie, "If this machine were to be functional in this location, it would significantly reduce our time, travel, and expenses. I went to a private center, but we had to wait for an appointment through the Health Insurance House." Showing the severity of the situation, the patient also mentioned that without insurance, a patient would have to pay 5000 lei for the PET-CT scan. The news report revealed that even these patients who have insurance, face long waiting times for appointments. The institute has been forced to send patients to three private clinics and two public hospitals, the only places in Bucharest where this imaging analysis can be performed. For an accurate diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression, physicians stress the importance of a PET-CT scan, especially for patients with lung cancer or hematologic conditions. However, it is mind-boggling that even with the latest and most advanced equipment like the PET-CT, this situation persists in Romania's largest oncology institute. The reason for this appalling state of affairs is the classic pattern of ignorance and slowness towards administrative procedures that have left the building and equipment without the necessary operating permits. When asked to comment on the situation, the former manager refused, and the current one says he is working towards resolving the issue and hopes to do so in a month's time. In the meantime, cancer patients continue to suffer, awaiting proper medical care that is available but inaccessible to them. Oncologist and Medical Director Daniela Zob stated, "It would mean having fast access to this crucial imaging analysis for our patients." She further added that the PET-CT machine was requested and invested in to cater to the institute's patients. However, due to administrative errors, it is rendered useless. The situation at the Romanian Cancer Institute in Bucharest is atrocious, and immediate action must be taken to resolve it, as the lives of many patients with cancer are at stake.