Sindh Govt Establishes ‘Proton Beam Therapy Cancer Center’

KARACHI: An essential meeting regarding Proton Bean Therapy Cancer Center's setting up in Ghambat was recently held at Sindh Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah.

The meeting was briefed on the importance of Proton Beam Therapy. Dr Rahim Bakhsh, Head of Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jilani Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr Abdul Samad, Head of Larkana Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy, Dr Shahid Iqbal of Nimra Jamshoro, Noor Mohammad Shah, Special Secretary and others were present.

While briefing the Chief Secretary Sindh on Proton Therapy Treatment, it was informed that with the acquisition of the said technology, Pakistan would become the first country in Asia to offer such treatment, and that's too free of cost. Malaysia is also striving to acquire this technology.  

The meeting was further informed that this treatment would be possible to treat vital organs (liver, lungs, kidneys, etc.) without operating on the patient while ensuring speedy recovery of the patient. With the help of therapy, 50 patients will be treated daily, and this number will be further be increased in the coming days.

The meeting was informed that at present, 1,50,000 patients had been treated with 89 such proton therapy machines in different countries. Proton Therapy eliminates the effects of cancer without damaging the patient's tissue. In this way, the cost of conventional treatment of the patient will also be reduced.  

The meeting was briefed that the project will cost around Rs 1002 million.  On occasion, Chief Secretary Sindh was also directed to complete all the painful steps as soon as possible. The Chief Secretary Sindh said that the Sindh government had taken steps to improve the health system in the province.

He added that establishing a proton therapy unit in Gambat for free cancer treatment would provide the best treatment to many people. At the meeting, it was also discussed that compared to other provinces of the country, Sindh province also has facilities like CyberKnife and Gamma Knife to treat cancer.  

The meeting was informed that 10 patients were living a healthy life after reviewing treatment at Pakistan's most giant Bone Marrow Transplantation Center at Gambit Institute.

CS Sindh appreciated the services and efforts of the Gambat Institute in the field of health. The Chief Secretary Sindh assured his full cooperation and directed to complete all the painful steps in this regard as soon as possible and said that's a summary in this regard will be moved to Chief Minister Sindh for approval.