Zubair Qureshi
Nuclear Medicine, Oncology & Radiotherapy Institute, the top-notch public sector hospital of the federal capital, on Wednesday, organized a breast cancer awareness programme under the slogan “Give Hope, Save Lives.” A walk was also organized at the end of the programme.
The programme was followed by inauguration of a new linear accelerator facility. Director of NORI, Dr Muhammad Faheem welcomed the participants of the awareness activity and shared details about the newly added facilities at the hospital which included addition of linear accelerator.
Dr Faheem shared the alarmingly high figures of the breast cancer prevalence among women in Pakistan.
He said, “Breast Cancer accounts for nearly 40pc of all female malignancies which is the highest in Asia. Its prevalence in both the genders is as high as 25pc which is again quite high.
He thanked the Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for his unwavering support in upgrading the NORI in particular and other hospitals being run by the PAEC in general.
He also thanked the President of the Patients Welfare Society (PWS) Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan for his valuable assistance.
Dr Faheem spoke high of the entire dedicated team of the NORI for devoting their lives to the noble cause of providing relief to the ailing cancer patients.
PAEC Chairman Muhammad Naeem who has recently been conferred the prestigious Nishan-i-Imtiaz (NI) by the President of Pakistan, addressed the ceremony as chief guest and stressed the need for early diagnosis which is key to cure cancer.
He appreciated the role of 18 cancer hospitals in general and NORI in particular and assured of his support in future projects as well.
He told the audience that the 19th cancer hospital in Gilgit (GINOR) has been completed and will soon start services for patients.
He hoped that in the health sector NORI would be the new collaboration centre of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Pakistan whereas in the agriculture sector, NIAB will represent the country in international collaboration with the agency. Later, the PAEC Chairman inaugurated the newly added linear accelerator facility at NORI.
On the occasion, cancer survivors including the former Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry and member of the Patient Support Group NORI Samina Zafar shared their tales of fighting the cancer with the help and support of the NORI team.
Samina Zafar appreciated the dedication, patience and professional approach of the NORI team, especially Dr Faheem, Dr Humera Mahmood and Dr Kashif.
At the end, Head of Oncology Department, Dr Humera Mahmood announced the names of the winners of the Poster Competition.
PAEC Chairman Muhammad Naeem and Member Science PAEC, Dr Masood Iqbal distributed prizes among the winners of the competition and shields among the guests.
