Lahore: Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan has inaugurated the Dr. Fauzia Naheed Breast Cancer Early Detection Centre at Alkhidmat Mansoorah Teaching Hospital to promote early diagnosis and provide affordable breast cancer screening services for women. The centre will offer initial breast cancer screening, clinical examination by specialist doctors, and, where required, ultrasound and mammography services for a registration fee of Rs100.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan President Professor Dr. Hafeezur Rahman, Secretary General Syed Waqas Jafri, Vice President Syed Ehsanullah Waqas, Dr. Zahid Latif, Zikar Ullah Mujahid, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Farid Ahmad Paracha, Management Committee Member Dr. Hafiz Ejaz Ahmad, Medical Superintendent Brig (Retd) Dr. Syed Zafar Hussain, Dr. Umatullah Zareen, senior healthcare professionals, members of the medical staff and representatives from the health sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Dr. Hafeezur Rahman said breast cancer remained the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Pakistan. Citing GLOBOCAN statistics, he said more than 90,000 women were diagnosed with the disease annually, while over 40,000 lost their lives each year. He added that Pakistan had one of the highest breast cancer incidence rates in Asia, with approximately one in every nine women facing the risk of developing the disease during her lifetime.
He said breast cancer was no longer merely a medical issue but had become a major national public health challenge. Alongside treatment, he stressed the need for widespread public awareness, regular screening, promotion of breast self-examination and timely diagnosis to improve survival rates.
Prof. Dr. Hafeezur Rahman noted that many breast cancer patients in Pakistan sought medical treatment only after the disease had reached an advanced stage, making treatment more complex, lengthy and expensive. He said that if diagnosed in its early stages, the chances of successful treatment exceeded 90 per cent.
He said the establishment of the Dr. Fauzia Naheed Breast Cancer Early Detection Centre reflected Alkhidmat's commitment to ensuring that women had access to timely diagnosis and quality healthcare services.
Announcing a nationwide awareness initiative, Prof. Dr. Hafeezur Rahman said Alkhidmat Foundation would launch a comprehensive campaign to encourage women across Pakistan to undergo regular breast cancer screening and medical examinations, enabling early detection and helping save lives.
Dr. Umatullah Zareen said raising awareness about breast cancer among women was the need of the hour, adding that Alkhidmat was playing an important role not only in providing treatment but also in promoting preventive healthcare, public awareness and early diagnosis.
Medical Superintendent Brig (Retd) Dr. Syed Zafar Hussain said Alkhidmat Mansoorah Teaching Hospital remained committed to providing quality healthcare at affordable costs. He said the establishment of the new screening centre would help promote early diagnosis while reducing the financial burden of treatment on low- and middle-income families.