Rising incidence of cancer

Letter December 13, 2018
No serious attention was given to curb the problem that is fast rising in the province

TURBAT: Over the past few years, the incidence of cancer has been on the rise in Balochistan, continuously taking thousands of lives in the country’s most underdeveloped province. Unfortunately, there is no good facility is available in the province to treat cancer patients. Despite a large number of cancer patients being annually reported in the province, most hospitals lack proper facilities to treat the disease.

From 2014 to 2017, almost 10,000 cases of cancer were reported in various parts of the province, including a large number of female patients. The major causes of this sudden increase in the number of cancer patients were discussed at an international seminar on World Cancer Day in Quetta in February 2018. Yet no serious attention was given to curb the problem that is fast rising in the province.

According to a research published in a national daily, it has been noted that only 20% cancer patients in the province could afford diagnosis and treatment while the rest were left to fend for themselves. Where should the Baloch hailing from poor families go once diagnosed with cancer?

There is no doubt that the province is contributing a lot to the country’s economy in the shape of natural resources and CPEC. So in return, the needs of its people should be given due consideration. Balochistan is in dire need of a free-of-cost cancer hospital.

Israr Najeeb

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2018.

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