KARACHI:
During a meeting of the National Security Committee on Monday, Prime Minister Imran Khan called upon all parties in Afghanistan to protect the fundamental human rights of all Afghan citizens. For certain groups, especially women, rights are precarious, as they face threat to their right to life, liberty, and security of person. Women lack access to general healthcare. Even worse, the fragile healthcare system in Afghanistan is unable to tackle complex diseases such as cancer. The country has just one hospital in Kabul with an oncology ward that offers some cancer treatment but has limited oncologists. There are no PET scanners or radiation therapy facilities available. Chemotherapy is not available easily, and medicines for this procedure are often smuggled from neighbouring countries.
Due to unsafe conditions, patients often travel to regional countries including Iran, Pakistan, and India to seek medical treatment. It is easier for men to undertake such journeys; however, many women are left behind. It is usually male family members who make life-altering health decisions for women. In addition, cultural norms and lack of awareness prevent women from early diagnosis. Diagnosis at advanced stages makes treatment difficult and it becomes a death sentence for women. There are many harrowing stories of women battling cancer in the war-torn country.
Pakistan has hosted Afghan patients for decades and offered treatment despite the challenges. Last year, a study revealed that 60% of male patients at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital were from Afghanistan and 39.9% of female patients were Afghan women. Another study revealed that 7% of Afghan women are suffering from breast cancer. According to evidence, more women die from breast cancer than war in Afghanistan due to lack of healthcare support. The international community has focused on battling several ailments in the country but not cancer. It is time to acknowledge this predicament faced by Afghan women and provide them equitable access to cancer care.
Mariam Khan
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2021.
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