Chemotherapy to be included in health card soon: minister

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Syed Qasim Alis Shah has said that chemotherapy used in the treatment of breast cancer will be included in the health card very soon.It was announced by him at a function on breast cancer services that was organised at Khyber Teaching Hospital on Thursday, according to a handout issued here.

Syed Qasim Ali Shah and MNA Arbab Sher Ali attended the event as special guests. Chairman Board of Governor Dr Umar Ayub Khan, MD Prof Dr Mohammad Ayaz Khan, Chairperson General Surgery Prof Dr Mah Munir Khan, Assistant Prof Dr Irum Sabir and other faculty members and relevant management staff of KTH participated in it.

In the event, Assistant Professor of Cancer Unit Dr Irum Sabir presented a report on the treatment of cancer patients, which highlighted the data of breast cancer patients so far and the problems faced.

She further said that in the year 2022, 6206, in the year 2023, 8733 and 3989 breast cancer patients were treated in 2024.Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah said in his speech that cancer is a serious health problem that has to be combated collectively. Unfortunately, one in eight women are at risk of developing cancer. “We all have to work together to meet this challenge and more improvements are needed,” he added.“I am happy to announce that chemotherapy will soon be included in the health card to facilitate access to cancer treatment,” the minister said.