Free Cancer Treatment Program Starts at Ayub Teaching Hospital

APP

Abbottabad: Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH) has officially launched a free cancer treatment program for the people of Hazara, following a recent notification from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in healthcare accessibility for the region, making ATH the second hospital in the province to offer such a service, after Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) in Peshawar.

The announcement was made by Dr Abid Jameel, Chairman of the Board of Governors, during a symposium focused on breast cancer. He emphasized the importance of making healthcare accessible to all, particularly for those battling cancer.

“This is a milestone for the people of Hazara,” Dr. Jameel stated, highlighting the hospital’s fully operational oncology ward, which features 34 beds. This facility will allow local cancer patients to receive treatment without having to travel to Peshawar, alleviating the burden on them and their families.

The free cancer treatment program, initially launched at HMC in 2013 and benefiting 9,000 patients to date, will now extend its critical support to over 600 cancer patients at ATH.

The program will initially focus on treating blood cancers, with plans to expand to all types of cancer within three years. Comprehensive treatment will include consultations, diagnoses, and medications, all at no cost to patients.

Dr. Jameel also highlighted the need for increased cancer awareness, urging individuals to consult doctors early when the chances of successful treatment are significantly higher.

The initiative aims to relieve the financial burden on patients, particularly those from remote areas such as Kohistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, who often encounter difficulties in accessing continuous medical care due to distance and cost.

Additionally, Dr Jameel affirmed the hospital’s commitment to training medical staff in cancer management, ensuring that ATH provides care of the highest quality. This significant initiative is expected to benefit thousands of patients in the Hazara region and beyond, offering them renewed hope and a fighting chance against cancer.