Zubair Qureshi
President Dr Arif Alvi has called for collaborative efforts by the public and private sector to create awareness about breast cancer, especially during October, which is designated officially as a month for raising public awareness about breast cancer.
The president made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation from Siemens Healthineers in Pakistan. CEO of Siemens, Mr. KhurramJameel, and the First Lady Begum SaminaAlvi who is spearheading the breast cancer awareness campaign for the last many years, also attended the meeting virtually.
The president said that besides providing support to those affected by the disease, media and other relevant stakeholders should join hands in the breast cancer awareness campaign and encourage women to engage in regular self-examinations and seek timely medical guidance for the early diagnosis of this life-threatening ailment.
During the meeting, the president highlighted the potential of digital technologies in addressing healthcare challenges, particularly in enhancing awareness, improving healthcare accessibility, and raising the quality of care while minimizing costs.
He underscored the importance of early screenings, self-examinations, and improved medical services.
Moreover, the president also underlined the pivotal role that private sector partners could play in raising awareness through media campaigns, standee displays in hospitals and public areas, distribution of pamphlets, and organizing educational workshops and seminars in women’s educational institutions. He also called for organizing breast cancer awareness events during October.
He commended the role of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and telecom companies, who had initiated a call-caution tone from 1st October on the advice of the Presidency urging women to conduct self-examinations and seek medical advice if they noticed any unusual growth.
