Nurses at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centres (SKMCH&RC) located at Lahore and Peshawar provide holistic care to cancer patients receiving complex treatment for their disease through surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and nuclear medicine procedures. The treatment protocols and care needs of cancer patients demand highly knowledgeable and skilful nursing presence round the clock. Nursing care at SKMCH&RC attempts to focus on the patient as a whole, who is facing a disease that not only affects the physical but also emotional and financial aspects of one’s life.
Every year, the International Nurses Day is observed on the birthday of Florence Nightingale to acknowledge the importance of nurses in the healthcare system.Dr. Muhammed Aasim Yusuf, the Chief Medical Officer of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centres shared a special message on this occasion and said, “We are proud of our nursing staff and recognise their critical role in cancer care. Today, nurses and doctors are fighting together on the frontlines against COVID-19. I hope that the young generation in our country will step forward and join the nursing profession.”
The Nursing Division at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centres offers three post-registration diploma programmes namely, Oncology Nursing, Preoperative Nursing and Critical Care Nursing to facilitate professional growth of nurses serving in various areas of our hospitals including operating rooms, intensive care units, inpatient areas, chemotherapy and radiology areas.
Rehana Elahi, Director for Nursing at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centres recognised the special role that nurses play in Pakistan saying, “Nurses are serving the humanity. They are providing critical and compassionate quality care to patients every day. Over the past weeks and months, our nurses are fighting to combat the challenge of coronavirus, day in and day out.
We must celebrate and honour these extraordinary men and women who have been providing support to the patients fighting coronavirus and cancer, with devotion, commitment and tirelessness. Throughout the history of Pakistan, in the time of war, natural disasters or medical emergencies, nurses have rushed in, ignoring the danger to their own health to provide hope, help and healing to the society. I would like to thank all the nurses at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centres who are fighting on both fronts, cancer and coronavirus.”
