The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is planning to launch a nationwide awareness drive on breast cancer in collaboration with Pink Ribbon Pakistan. The campaign will be held in all universities and will focus on early detection, prevention and treatment of breast cancer among female students.
This was decided in a meeting held at HEC Secretariat between Dr Javaid Laghari, the commission’s chairperson, and Fariba Shiraz Thomson, Pink Ribbon Chairperson, along with senior officials of both organisations.
The HEC spokesperson said that a task force will be set up for the purpose after a memorandum of understanding is signed with Pink Ribbon, a global charity organisation supporting breast cancer awareness. He said that HEC also plans to begin a research project on the prevalence of breast cancer in Pakistan by taking on board all major medical universities of the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Thomson said, “We want to institutionalise this effort and make it long-term and sustainable, which is why we have chosen to work alongside HEC as it is an established institution.”
Dr Laghari nominated Dr Samina Amina Qadir to head the task force for launching the campaign throughout the higher education sector. He said a focal person will be nominated from each university.
These focal persons will coordinate with the HEC to implement the campaign. He added that the commission has already run a successful program on tobacco control.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2011.
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