LAHORE: The government of Punjab, Pakistan’s most populated province has decided to establish country’s first cancer registry a data bank.
The decision was made during a meeting between Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz and Dr Umer Farooq, Chief Executive Officer of the Pink Ribbon Pakistan on Friday.
Chief Secretary Punjab, Zahid Akhtar Zaman, and other officials were also present on the occasion.
It was also decided that a training program for the lady health workers will be started in the province enabling them to diagnose breast cancer. The issue of compulsory mammography tests facilities for the female staff of the Punjab province was also discussed.
Proposals for setting up a dedicated breast cancer block at the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital were also reviewed. Only the female staff will be deployed at the proposed block.
During the meeting it was decided that Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) will be tasked to create an application regarding mammography machines.
The meeting participants were told that cancer is affecting people around the age of 55 internationally. However, in Pakistan, the average age of cancer onset is 35.
The Pink Ribbon campaign will be initiated in Punjab in October, with CM Maryam Nawaz taking the lead.
