In a major advancement for public health, Pakistan has established its first-ever free breast cancer screening facility at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
The announcement was made by Health Minister Mustafa Kamal during a Breast Cancer Week ceremony. The new center represents a significant shift in national health strategy, moving from a focus on treatment to one of proactive, early diagnosis.
“We do not want people to get sick first and then come to the hospital,” the Health Minister stated clearly during his address. He emphasized that this center’s primary goal is to diagnose women before they fall ill.
“The war against breast cancer is won through awareness,” Mr. Kamal asserted, highlighting the critical importance of timely detection. He made an emotional appeal, stating, “We have to save our mothers, sisters, and daughters from this deadly disease.”
Addressing the medical staff, he added, “Those who serve suffering humanity receive a great reward from Allah.”
The Health Minister also revealed future plans to expand these screening services to the district level. He strongly urged all women and girls not to wait for symptoms to appear, but to utilize this new facility and “get this test done before getting sick.”
