LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province has become the first government entity in South Asia to launch a state-run Co-ablation centre for cancer treatment at Mayo Hospital in Lahore.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated the facility, which uses electric heating to destroy tumours, offering an alternative to surgery and chemotherapy, especially for breast, lung and liver cancers. This method of treatment reduces pain and recovery time compared to traditional methods.
Speaking on the occasion, Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the new facility, with equipment imported from China, will expand access to advanced care.
Medical staff at Mayo Hospital said the Co-ablation machine has already treated patients with breast and lung cancers and that training for doctors and technicians has been completed.
The historic outcomes of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s visit to China are now visible. Punjab has become the first province in South Asia to introduce Co-ablation Cancer Treatment.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated Pakistan’s first public sector Co-ablation… pic.twitter.com/BNPrhAk7HI
— PMLN (@pmln_org) September 18, 2025
Cancer Burden in Pakistan
According to the Global Cancer Observatory, Pakistan registers about 185,748 new cancer cases annually, with 118,631 deaths from the disease. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women; in men, cancers of the lip, oral cavity, lung and colorectal areas feature prominently.
Punjab launches first ‘Coablation’ cancer treatment centre in Lahore pic.twitter.com/GdNz2ChwV1
— Salman Durrani (@DurraniViews) September 18, 2025
Pakistan’s national cancer registries indicate nearly half of all cases are reported from Punjab, highlighting the province’s heavy share of the cancer burden.
Impact and Challenges
Health experts say the Co-ablation centre has the potential to transform treatment for patients who might otherwise face delayed surgery or endure harsh side effects of chemotherapy. Co-ablation may offer faster discharge from the hospital and fewer complications.
However, access to advanced cancer care outside Lahore is limited, awareness of new treatment options is low, and treatment costs often put high-end technologies out of reach for many patients. Maintaining the new equipment, ensuring supplies, and training enough specialists are also pressing needs.
