About 20 thousand breast cancer patients were treated in Khyber Teaching Hospital during three years.

KP Health Minister Syed Qasim Alis Shah announced that chemotherapy used in the treatment of breast cancer will be included in the health card very soon.

KP Health Minister Syed Qasim Alis Shah announced that chemotherapy used in the treatment of breast cancer will be included in the health card very soon. It was announced by him in an important function on breast cancer services that was organized at Khyber Teaching Hospital on May 30, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah and MNA Arbab Sher Ali attended as special guests. Chairman Board of Governor Dr. Umar Ayub Khan, MD Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ayaz Khan, Chairperson General Surgery Prof. Dr. Mah Munir Khan, Assistant Prof. Dr. Irum Sabir and other faculty members and relevant   management staff of Khyber Teaching Hospital participated.

In the event, Assistant Professor of Cancer Unit, Dr. Irum Sabir, presented a comprehensive report on the treatment of cancer patients, which highlighted the data of breast cancer patients so far and the problems faced. She further said that in the year 2022, 6206, in the year 2023, 8733 and 3989 breast cancer patients were treated in 2024. She added that breast care services at Khyber Teaching Hospital are exceptional, and we are very proud of our achievements since 2019. Our dedicated team, led by Prof. Dr. Mah Munir Khan, Dr. Irum Sabir, Asst. Assistant Professor Dr. Muhammad Tariq, Assistant Professor Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad Shah, Professor Dr. Hina Gul, Dr. Mahmood Akhtar Khattak, and Dr. Kulsoom Nawab are highly skilled healthcare professionals.

Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah said in his speech that cancer is a serious health problem that we have to fight together. Unfortunately, one in eight women are at risk of developing cancer. We all have to work together to meet this challenge and more improvements are needed.

“I am happy to announce that chemotherapy will soon be included in the health card program to facilitate access to cancer treatment,” he added. And more mammogram machines will also be provided to the hospital. The health minister said that our effort is to improve the efficiency of the health sector by adopting modern technology. Gamma Knife will be introduced soon in Khyber Teaching Hospital and the process of setting up cath lab will be expedited.

During the ceremony, Chairman BOG Dr. Umar Ayub Khan highlighted the hospital’s recent achievements, including the establishment of 80 modular beds and state-of-the-art tables for orthopedic surgeries. He expressed pride in the successful discussion of 25-30 cases of breast sarcoma in each meeting and appreciated the excellent efforts of Prof. Mah Munir and her team.

The Chairperson of the Department of General Surgery, Prof. Dr. Mah Munir took the opportunity to highlight the outstanding achievements of the Breast Care Unit. She said that it is noteworthy that the unit has conducted the busiest and most extensive breast cancer awareness campaign in October every year. Additionally, the unit is proud to have established a one-stop breast care clinic in the province and to be recognized for the FCPS in Breast Surgery, a distinction that ranks it fourth in the country.

In the ceremony, Medical Director Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ayaz Khan highlighted the unique distinction of Khyber Teaching Hospital and said that it is the only hospital that offers the facilities of sub-specialty departments and on behalf of the hospital administration, Dr. Irum Sabir emphasized the unwavering support provided to the team and assured to continue this support in the future as well.