Imran Khan & K-P Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain offer parayer after laying foundation stone of the cancer hospital in Peshawar on March 9. PHOTO: INP
Faakhir Afridi inaugurated the hospital with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan and several others in attendance.
First phase of Shaukat Khanum to be complete on December 29
Addressing the ceremony, Imran Khan said the establishment of Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was one of his biggest dreams. "This hospital will not only provide state-of-the-art facilities to the residents of K-P but also to the people of remote areas of the country," the PTI chairman said.
"Nothing is impossible to achieve if one works with dedication and a goal in mind," he added.
Pakistan leads with highest number of breast cancer patients across Asia
Imran Khan further recalled the difficulties he faced while collecting funds when he initially decided to build the hospital. "I approached government officials for a cancer hospital that I wished to establish for the free treatment of the poor and while some refused to help, others said permission for free treatment would not be given," he said.
Last week, Ajmal Khan, the facility’s fundraising manager told The Express Tribune Rs3.2 billion has been spent on the construction of the eight-storey building.
Eight months on: Feasibility study for capital’s first cancer hospital yet to complete
He added the chemotherapy faculty was set up in the first phase to treat patients in the initial stages of cancer. According to Ajmal, cancer radiation therapy would be set up in the second phase and surgery facilities will be established in the third phase. He said another Rs4 billion would be needed to complete the second and third phases.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ