PAKISTAN’S Nuclear Medicine Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI), located in Islamabad, has been designated an “Anchor Centre” under the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) “Rays of Hope Initiative”. This occasion was marked by a signing ceremony held in Vienna during the 67th session of the IAEA’s General Conference. The Anchor Centre Agreement was officially signed by Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar, Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), representing Pakistan, and Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA.
This designation is, indeed, a matter of pride for PAEC as well as people of Pakistan as Anchor Centres are specialized cancer treatment facilities chosen to collaborate closely with the IAEA in providing expertise and support within their respective regions. NORI, one of the 19 cancer hospitals run by PAEC, is the only fully fledged tertiary care cancer hospital, specifically designed for diagnosing and treating cancer patients, equipped with the latest equipment. Earlier this year, NORI became the first government hospital in Pakistan to treat cancer through cyber-knife method. The cancer diagnostic and treatment facilities offered by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission enjoy trust and confidence of the people because of their professionalism, quality of service and provision of these facilities at highly competitive rates. This is confirmed by the fact that the PAEC cancer treatment facilities are catering to the needs of about 80% of cancer patients in the country. The PAEC deserves credit for setting up 19 cancer hospitals in different parts of the country benefiting people of different regions at their doorsteps. As the PAEC has earned a good reputation in the field of medicines, it would be worthwhile if the government provides necessary funds to the Commission to expand its cancer diagnostic and treatment programme through local and international collaboration.
