The federal government has announced plans to complete a 200-bed cancer hospital in Islamabad by 2026, aiming to provide specialized treatment and care for cancer patients in the capital. During a National Assembly question hour session, details regarding preventive measures for breast cancer were also discussed.
The federal health minister reported that Pakistan recorded 376,998 breast cancer cases in 2023, with 25,796 women losing their lives to the disease. The new hospital in Islamabad is expected to address the limited options currently available for cancer treatment in the public sector, offering dedicated facilities and advanced care for patients.
The minister highlighted ongoing government awareness campaigns focused on early diagnosis and breast cancer prevention. He also emphasized the need to shift Pakistan’s healthcare system from a reactive “sick-care system” to a preventive model. Citing rapid population growth equivalent to New Zealand’s annual increase and poor sanitation issues, he warned that the country faces mounting public health challenges.
During the session, MNA Anjum Aqeel Khan raised concerns over rising cervical cancer cases. The health minister admitted that no centralized national record exists for cervical cancer but proposed linking national identity card numbers to medical identification to streamline health data. He noted that over 5,000 women die from cervical cancer annually and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting young girls through preventive healthcare measures and improved medical services.
