PAEC breast cancer awareness drive
NORI wins international recognition for sharing expertise with other cancer hospitals of region
Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI), the flagship hospital of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) organized on Tuesday annual breast cancer awareness seminar and walk that was participated by hundreds of cancer survivors, their relatives, doctors, members of civil society and staff of the NORI.
The event is in fact an annual overview of the achievements, challenges and stories that the cancer survivors as well as the doctors of the hospital share with the audience and renew their commitment to raise awareness about breast cancer and work for its victims/affectees.
Wife of Chairman PAEC, Begum Fehmin Ali was the chief guest on the occasion. In her address she appreciated the contribution of 19 Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals (AECHs) being run by PAEC in diagnosis and treatment of cancer irrespective of the stage of the disease and financial status of the patients as well as spreading awareness about the disease.
She paid rich tributes to AECH NORI for leading the noble cause of cancer care and spreading awareness among masses especially women.
She also stressed the need to further intensify the efforts in this regard. Recalling the proud moment of NORI being declared the Anchor Centre by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) she said, “It was indeed a matter of great pride for PAEC as well as the nation when in September 2023 NORI Cancer Hospital was declared an Anchor Centre of the IAEA for sharing its expertise with other cancer hospitals in the region.”
Earlier, in her welcome address, Head Oncology Department, NORI, Dr.HumeraMehmood gave a detailed presentation titled “NORI Turning the Tides” and highlighted the contribution of the hospital in fighting against the menace of Breast Cancer in Pakistan. She said, “NORI was among the first five Anchor Centres announced by the IAEA under its Rays of Hope initiative last year which is not only a proof of the commitment of the hospital in prevention and management of cancer but also a recognition on global level of its expertise in imparting research, training and education in the field.”
Dr.Humera highlighted various initiatives by NORI for the welfare of cancer patients and their attendants and one of them is MasafirKhana. She also shared that “NORI is the first cancer hospital in public sector in the capital to start treatment of cancer using cyber knife facility and the results are miraculous.”
A video prepared by NORI highlighting the dangers of consuming tobacco titled “Smoking, a Silent Legal Assassin” was also screened on the occasion. “Ask the Expert” a session on doctor-patient/public interaction was also termed quite informative.
The audience asked questions about the causes and preventive techniques related to cancer and the experts in the field of oncology and radiotherapy and cancer survivors of NORI responded.