19 PAEC hospitals providing state-of-the-art treatment

Islamabad : Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) started its work using nuclear technology for peace and development by focusing on health sector and established the first cancer hospital in the 1960s. As-of-now 19 cancer hospitals are providing exemplary diagnosis and treatment facilities to cancer patients across the country, says a press release.

This was said by Dr. Masood Iqbal, Member Science - PAEC during the closing ceremony of a five-day Regional Training Course of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held at Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital (AECH), NORI, where he was the chief guest.

International participants of the training session included delegates from 12 countries besides national participants from all across Pakistan. The five-day educational/training activity included numerous clinical and practical aspects of radiotherapy. The technical experts from across the country delivered informative lectures and shared their experience and knowledge.

In his address Dr Masood highlighted the role of PAEC in the socioeconomic uplift of the country by its contribution in various sectors of national importance. He added that Pakistan was among the pioneers to collaborate with the IAEA.

“Other areas in which PAEC is contributing included provision of environment-friendly and affordable nuclear energy. PAEC is running 6 nuclear power plants in the country which are supplying over 3,500mw electricity to the national grid,” Dr Masood said.

“Similarly, our nuclear research institute named Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) has been producing radio isotopes for years which are used in medical facilities across the country,” added Dr Masood.

Dr Masood also highlighted contribution of 4 fully equipped agricultural research institutes of PAEC.

Earlier Dr. Mohammad Faheem, Director NORI thanked the participants especially the international participants from the Asia Pacific region like Bangladesh, Malaysia, Fiji, Philippine, Nepal and Sri Lanka etc. for their valuable contribution to this learning activity as well as the dignitaries for attending the ceremony.

Dr. Humera Mahmood, Head Oncology and Radiology Department, NORI also shared with the audiences that the RTC was so far the greatest success over the years as the participants showed great improvement. She also appreciated the energetic and eager-to-learn participants for their active contribution during the training course.