Minister stresses modern facilities for cancer diagnosis

LAHORE:Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has stressed need to work on modern facilities for cancer diagnosis, prevention and treatment in Pakistan.

In a message on World Cancer Awareness and Prevention Day, Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the largest Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in the history of Pakistan is being established in Lahore.

For many decades, patients in Punjab have been deprived of better facilities for cancer treatment. Cancer patients in Punjab were forced to get treatment from private hospitals at high cost and after waiting for many years. Maryam Nawaz had announced the state-of-the-art Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore as soon as she assumed the office of Chief Minister, the minister said.

FJMU seminar

An awareness seminar on World Cancer Day was organised by the Department of Oncology at Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore.

Vice Chancellor, FJMU, Prof Dr Khalid Masood Gondal was the chief guest. The theme of World Cancer Day 2025 is “United by Unique”. World Cancer Day is observed on February 4 every year to create awareness about cancer, encourage its prevention, and mobilise action to combat the global cancer epidemic. In the welcome address, Dr Khalid Masood delivered a thought-provoking and informative lecture that highlights the importance of education, awareness, and timely diagnosis in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

He emphasised dispelling the fear and misconceptions surrounding cancer, which can often lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. He identifies quackery, lack of education, and poverty as major causes of the spread of cancer and stresses the need for timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent the disease. He quoted from the Al-Quran, "Whoever saves a life, it is as if he had saved the life of all mankind," is a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting a human life.