In Lahore, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of having accurate data on cancer patients to enhance treatment facilities during a meeting with Dr. Umar Aftab, CEO and founder of Pink Ribbon Pakistan.
During the meeting, it was discussed that the Pink Ribbon campaign will be launched in October under her leadership. One of the key proposals reviewed was the establishment of a breast cancer block at Pakistan’s first government-run Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital, where all staff will be female.
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Ms. Nawaz expressed the intention to train Lady Health Visitors (LHVs) across Punjab to diagnose breast cancer, highlighting the importance of early detection. She considered making mammogram tests mandatory for female staff in Punjab, noting that while globally breast cancer is typically diagnosed around age 55, in Pakistan it occurs at a younger age, around 35 years on average.
Additionally, the Punjab Information Technology Board will be tasked with developing an app to ensure accessibility to mammogram machines, aiming to improve healthcare services related to breast cancer screening and diagnosis across the province.
