ISLAMABAD: A Letter of Understanding was signed here on Thursday between Ministry of National Health Services and a pharmaceutical firm for public private partnership to provide free treatment to poor cancer patients in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
Addressing on the occasion, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza said cancer treatment is a priority of this government as public-private initiatives are being encouraged for the purpose.
“This is another step forward in providing relief to the masses in line with the concept of welfare state envisaged by Prime Minister Imran Khan,” he said, adding all CNIC holders of Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan could be enrolled in this project.
The treatment centers for this project will work at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad and Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences, Muzaffarabad, AJK.
100% free access will be ensured for the patients regarding the treatment of blood cancer (chronic myeloid leukemia), myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera, stomach cancer, advanced kidney cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer through a public-private partnership.
Dr. Mirza said the Planning Commission has approved a PC-1, from 2019-2024, in which government will pay 10% cost of the project.
This project has already been initiated by the provincial governments. Dr. Zafar Mirza appreciated the support of Novartis.