Pakistan’s First Ever Cancer Research Lab Established At LUMHS

HYDERABAD: Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) recently launched the Cancer Research Laboratory, a first of its kind, at the Medical Research Centre, Jamshoro, for studying, exploring and conducting in-depth research into factors causing cancer. This announcement was made by Dr Bikha Ram Devrajani, Vice-Chancellor (VC) at LUMHS, while addressing a press conference at Hyderabad press club.  

“This Research Laboratory is the first of its kind in Pakistan where not only tumours will be examined, but patient-related factors and environmental factors causing cancer will be explored intensively,” said Dr Bikha. He was flanked by senior doctors, including Dr Binafsha Manzoor Sayed and others.

“According to various studies, results showed that cancers in Pakistan are at a rise and biologically different from the rest of the world. So it is of utmost importance to investigate all these cancers from all aspects.” The VC elaborated.

He added that this laboratory was part of 6 development projects worth Rs1,582 million approved by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

Dr Bikha Ram said that during the last four years, the number of PhD scholars in LUMHS had increased from eight to 28. This number will further increase to 40 in the upcoming months when several other scholars will return after completing their degrees abroad.

He further explained that according to the World Health Organization (WHO) predictions presented in Globocan-2020, most of the cancers in Pakistan would double by 20 per cent, which would be a significant health crisis in the future.

“Given our economic situation and the state of the current healthcare system, we will not be able to bear such a huge burden. In light of this, such an initiative (i.e.setting up of the Cancer Research Lab) is the need of the hour.” The VC emphasised.

“Since 2008, a database of 22,000 cancer patients were collected and their tumour blocked are archived at the department of pathology for further research.” Said Dr Binafsha Sayed.

She spoke about the merits of this research laboratory, which will be well equipped to look at tumour biology, genetics and serology. She also added that the laboratory is planned further to extend the development of new drugs for cancer treatment.

Dr Bikha Ram informed that Dr Ali Muhammad Waryah, a qualified and experienced geneticist, is also part of the cancer research team specialising in investigating the genetic aspects of cancers and patients.

He said Dr Shariq Anwar Abid, a foreign qualified and well-experienced scientist, is heading the laboratory’s experimental therapeutics and cell culture section.

During the press conference, a video clip of the different sections of the laboratory was also presented before media personnel. The media was also urged to create awareness among the general public regarding threats of cancer diseases.

Dr Bikha Ram said patients, especially breast and oral cancer carriers, always come to the doctors after it’s too late. Their disease enters the last stage, and nothing more can be done. This situation is entirely preventable if more awareness is spread around.