Govt to set up first cancer unit in Quetta

CM Kamal says health is provincial govt’s first priority

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal has said the provincial government is establishing a cancer unit at Sheikh Zayed Hospital Quetta in order to facilitate cancer patient in the province.

“Resolution of health issues has been my priority since I took charge as chief minister. We have earmarked a public endowment fund in order to provide health facilities to poor patients who can’t bear expensive treatment,” Kamal said on Monday.

He was meeting a delegation of doctors from the Indus Hospital Karachi (IHK).

The IHK Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdul Bari informed the CM that 14% patients from Balochistan were admitted at pediatric oncology unit of the IHK.

The CM lauded the IHK’s contributions and said measures are being taken to establish the province’s first cancer unit at Sheikh Zayed Hospital so that patients do not have to travel to other cities for cancer treatment.

“We considered health as a serious issue of Balochistan and emergency and trauma centres are being established along the national highways in order to make sure provision of emergency health service during any incident,” he said.

Kamal said the government hospitals and health centres are being closely monitored and that he has given clear directions that no negligence would be tolerated in health department.

“Nonfunctional surgery units at district hospitals have been made functional while doctors and paramedics are being appointed to meet human resources need,” Kamal said. He vowed to ensure provision of health facilities to the masses at their door step.

Fatimid Foundation

Former interior minister and Fatimid Foundation Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Moinudddin Haider on Tuesday called on CM Kamal and discussed provision of Thalassemia and Hemophilia treatment to children in the province.

Lauding the Fatimid Foundation for free treatment of children, Kamal reiterated the resolve to strengthen and modernize health sector in order to ensure provision of quality treatment to poor patients. “Government of Balochistan is utilising all resources to uplift provincial health sector,” he saod

The chief minister said Balochistan’s first cancer hospital would be constructed in near future where cancer patients would receive quality treatment. He pledged full support for the Fatimid Foundation, adding that the provincial government will take benefit from experience of the foundation.

“Fortunately Balochistan is replete with mineral resources. Hence by establishing a mechanism, we could enhance the provincial revenue which would uplift provincial health and educational sectors.

“The government has allocated huge funds for the health sector. New nursing schools are being established in the province while non-functional surgery units are being made functional,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2019.