Cancer Hospital in Balochistan

During the period of 2014-17 there have been around 10,000 reported cases of cancer in Balochistan, most of whom were females. These statistics were discussed by eminent doctors of the province in an international seminar on “World Cancer Day” in Quetta in February 2018, where they had pledged to construct a cancer hospital in the province.

Another study from 2012 reports record analysis of 12022 patients over the last 12 years attending the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy (CENAR) Quetta, out of which 10924 were cancer patients. Out of these 10924 cancer patients, 30% were patients from Afghanistan and Iran.

Comparing the two sets of statistics above, it is clear that the frequency of cancer is increasing in the region from 10924 documented cases in the 12-year period from year 1998 – 2009 to 10,000 documented cases in a 3-year period from year 2014 – 2017. The actual occurrence of cancer patients in the region can be assumed to be even higher considering the large number of cases that go undocumented superimposed by the high input of Afghani and Iranian patients attending hospitals in Balochistan.

However, it is also important to mention that the exact cancer statistics of the region are yet to be researched for which the health department should grant research funds to the interested researches to carry out a major survey on the issue.

The current facilities and budget to combat cancer in the region:

Currently in Balochistan, there are only two institutes that are handling all the cancer load of the region. These are Bolan Medical Complex Hospital Oncology Department, with a total of only 14 beds and Center for Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy (CENAR) Quetta which does not fall under the provincial government.

Alarmingly, the allocated annual budget to the BMC 14 bed Oncology ward is only Rs7 million, according to Dr. Zahid Mahmood (HOD Oncology Department BMCH). In reality, the estimated amount for only the initial diagnosis of cancer sums up to Rs1 million in most cases, according to medical experts. In this scenario expecting a reduction in the rates of cancer or in the rates of treatment of it is highly impractical. Most of the patients have to travel outside the province to get their treatment which further increases their expenditure. Agha Khan University Hospital Karachi and Shauqat Khanum Memorial Hospital Lahore have a big number of patients coming from Balochistan.

According to various other research studies, it has been known that less than 20% of all cancer patients in the province are able to receive health care while diagnosis and treatment facilities are not available to over 80% patients, the main reasons of which is poverty, illiteracy and lack of awareness about the cancer.

Mass media campaigns for a cancer hospital in Balochistan:

For the past 1 year there has been an extensive social media debate on the issue of cancer in Balochistan. Multiple group of bloggers and social media activists have taken it on their shoulders to get a cancer hospital for Balochistan by educating the issue through social media to find collaborators, investors and the attention of government. One such campaign is run by an online volunteer group called Quetta Online which is also actively involved in collecting donations for needy cancer patients in Balochistan. Collectively, these voices have indeed brought the issue to the limelight.

Recent advancements:

Very recently, on October 20 an extension of the BMCH Oncology ward has been inaugurated by the Health Secretary Naseebullah Marri. This addition is a highly appreciated effort by the Health Department of Balochistan however, the capacity is still very less to accommodate the burden of cancer in the area.

Another probable option to ease the burden of the issue before a proper cancer hospital is established in Balochistan, is to upgrade the CENAR setup along with the BMCH oncology ward. Allocation of budget to these institutes should be increased enough to meet the demand of the disease. This could prove to be a bridge until a specific hospital for cancer treatment is established in Balochistan.

PM Imran Khan’s announcement for a cancer hospital in Balochistan:

After years of wait and expectations by the locals, no decision by the government came to the front that promised a cancer hospital for Balochistan until recently when Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that his government will build a cancer hospital in Quetta. In a recent meeting of the Prime Minister Imran Khan with a student delegation in the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, this promise was made that the PTI government will join hands with Pakistan Army for the formation of a full fledge tertiary care cancer hospital in Quetta, that could accommodate the burden of whole Balochistan. The locals are now looking up to updates on the matter, the work of which remains to start on paper and on ground.