Clínica de Mérida to Open PET-CT Diagnostic Center in Yucatán

Mérida, Yucatán — Clínica de Mérida will inaugurate a new PET-CT diagnostic center on Thursday, Oct. 22, adding advanced imaging technology to the region’s specialized medical services.

The facility, named the “Dr. Luis Alberto Navarrete Jaimes” PET-CT Center, is located on Paseo Norte along the Tixcuytún highway in Cholul, on the outskirts of Mérida. A reception is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., followed by the inaugural ceremony at 7 p.m., the hospital said. Members of the medical community and health sector representatives are expected to attend.

Clínica de Mérida, one of the state’s longest-established hospital institutions, said the project involved a significant investment in medical technology and is intended to strengthen specialized diagnostic services in the region. The hospital said the project was made possible together with PET Scan.

How PET-CT imaging works

PET-CT combines two technologies: positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT). PET allows doctors to observe certain metabolic and functional processes in the body by administering small amounts of radioactive substances called radiopharmaceuticals. CT provides detailed anatomical images of organs and tissues.

By combining both in a single study, specialists can identify functional abnormalities and more precisely locate the structures where they occur. The technology is particularly valuable in caring for cancer patients, though it also has specific applications in neurology, cardiology and other medical specialties.

Main uses in oncology

Depending on the type of cancer and medical indications, PET-CT can help to:

• Detect tumor activity and determine the extent of certain types of cancer
• Identify possible metastases in different organs
• Assess how patients are responding to treatments such as chemotherapy
• Investigate suspected recurrence of an oncological disease
• Provide information to plan and adjust treatment strategies

The hospital noted that PET-CT does not replace all diagnostic procedures, including biopsies when they are necessary, but it is a valuable tool for clinical decision-making. In a disease such as cancer, where precise information and timely diagnosis can change treatment options, access to this kind of technology represents a significant step forward, the institution said.

A regional referral hub

Yucatán has established itself as an important medical care center for residents of Campeche, Quintana Roo and other states in southeastern Mexico. The availability of specialized services reinforces that position and can reduce the need for some patients to travel to other cities for complex studies.

Hospital officials said investment in diagnostic infrastructure also supports the development of specialized medicine, promotes professional training and strengthens the care capacity of the local medical community, and reflects confidence in Mérida’s growth as a destination for highly specialized hospital services.

Inauguration details

• Center: PET-CT “Dr. Luis Alberto Navarrete Jaimes”
• Date: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026
• Reception: 6:30 p.m.
• Inaugural ceremony: 7 p.m.
• Location: Tablaje 30242, Paseo Norte, Tixcuytún highway, Cholul, Mérida, Yucatán