Rana Zahid Iqbal

Cancer is a disease that not only instills fear in a person upon diagnosis but is also extremely expensive to treat costs that not everyone can afford. Until some time ago in Pakistan, a cancer diagnosis would often lead to despair. However, since the establishment of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, where patients receive treatment according to the standards and protocols followed in developed countries, people have begun to believe that cancer can be treated.

For even better treatment, research is essential—but such work requires significant funding. Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital continues cancer research within its resources and has achieved notable success in this area.

The first Shaukat Khanum Hospital and Research Centre was established in Lahore. However, it could not cater to the growing number of cancer patients from across the country. This led to the decision to set up hospitals in other cities. The second Shaukat Khanum Hospital has already been established in Peshawar, and now, the construction of Pakistan’s third and largest Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital is rapidly progressing in Karachi.

This project is expected to be completed in next year at a cost of 32 billion rupees which will start from December 29 next year. To support this endeavor, the hospital administration has launched a nationwide fundraising campaign so that the people of Pakistan can actively contribute to this noble cause.

According to Shaukat Khanum Hospital, “More than 200,000 new cancer cases are reported every year in Pakistan, but the existing treatment facilities are vastly insufficient to cater to such a large number of patients.” Cancer treatment is often a long and testing process, and many patients especially those from remote areas face physical, emotional, and financial difficulties traveling to hospitals repeatedly during treatment.

To ease these burdens, the second hospital was built in Peshawar, and now, in light of the same situation, construction is underway for the third Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Karachi. With the establishment of this hospital, the country’s overall capacity for cancer treatment will increase significantly, making it easier to accommodate the growing number of patients each year.

This will be Pakistan’s largest cancer hospital, offering comprehensive, state of the art cancer diagnosis and treatment facilities under one roof. It will especially benefit the populations of Sindh and southern Balochistan, providing them with access to world class cancer care close to home.

From the day it opens, all clinical departments will be operational and equipped with the latest technology. Additionally, there will be a comprehensive system in place for treatment planning and delivery, supported by advanced diagnostic facilities.

The hospital will be constructed on 1 million square feet, making it nearly twice the size of the Lahore hospital. It will include:47 outpatient consultation rooms,Chemotherapy facility with 69 beds,Inpatient facility with around 300 beds,16 operation theaters,24 intensive care rooms

The hospital will be equipped with the highest standard of cancer treatment facilities, including CT scans, MRI, PET-CT, and for the first time in Pakistan, PET-MR. This new hybrid imaging technology will enable more accurate diagnoses with greater comfort and safety for patients.

Shaukat Khanum’s commitment to providing cutting-edge cancer treatment technology will ensure that the institution continues to enhance its ability to serve cancer patients in the region effectively.Shaukat Khanum’s administration has generously requested financial assistance from public.