First Lady Begum Mahmooda Mamnoon Hussain said that Government of Pakistan is making all possible efforts to curb the spread of deadly diseases like cancer from the country. She also emphasized that organization of awareness walks and seminars is of pivotal importance in this regard.
The First Lady said this while addressing the “Awareness Seminar for Prevention of Cancer” at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday.
The First Lady also highlighted that incumbent government has taken several initiatives in health sector. Prime Minister’s National Health Program has been launched which will enable the people with low income to have access to free treatment of fatal diseases like cancer. She also pointed out that government has started the collection of data of cancer patients from 2013 and its basic purpose is to chalk out a comprehensive and effective plan to stem the growth of this disease. She further said that cancer wards have been established in major hospitals and steps are being taken to provide healthcare to the people in far flung areas.
The First Lady stressed that Government departments in collaboration with private sector should devise a joint strategy to help the patients. Seminars and workshops should be organized in this regard and media should also be fully involved in such awareness campaigns.
The First Lady noted with concern that according to World Health Organization every year almost one hundred and fifty thousand new patients are diagnosed with cancer in Pakistan while nearly one hundred thousand lose their lives due to it.
She also expressed her concern that cancer is spreading among female population at an alarming rate especially in those who are above 40 years which is a challenge to humanity. She also advised the ladies that they should not fear from diagnosis as the timely diagnosis is of utmost importance for its cure.
Earlier, the First Lady also visited stalls set up to educate the people about the prevention of cancer. Later, a walk was organized to create awareness about the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Secretary National Health Services & Regulations Muhammad Ayub Sheikh, Prof. of Gynecology Dr. Syeda Batool Mazhar and Dr. Huma Qureshi, Executive Director Pakistan Health Research Council also spoke on this occasion.
PREVIOUS NEXT
