Work starts on a cancer hospital where no patient will be refused: Dr. Shaharyar

Lahore: Cancer Care Hospital & Research Centre has announced the deployment of heavy earth moving machinery for leveling and grubbing of the site of its state of the art 400 beds cancer hospital in Lahore.

During a press briefing, Prof. Dr. Shaharyar Chairperson Cancer Care Hospital & Research Centre Foundation informed the media that we are officially announcing the location of our mega project of Cancer Care Hospital & Research Centre for the first time. The site is 23 km from Thokar Niaz Baig towards Raiwind, is 4 km from Paji chowk on the dual carriage way leading to Ijtima Ground.

The area for hospital comprises on 170 kanals in which 400 bedded largest cancer hospital of Pakistan has now become a ground reality. It will be built in different phases.

In phase I the first ever hospital based palliative care unit will be built. Palliative Care focuses on pain relief & relief of suffering of advance cancer patients. In subsequent phases outdoor, indoor, laboratories and state of the art treatment and research facilities will be provided.

Phase 1 budget estimate reaches now 80 crore Rupees and different donors have very kindly pledged to donate generously. All notables of country have agreed to donate Zakat and Donations. We hope philanthropists will help us in this project – A cancer hospital where no patient will be refused. A hospital which will not only provide palliative care but will also have the nationwide program of Cancer Screening and early detection centres.

Dr. Shaharyar said that we wanted the establishment of a cancer hospital where comprehensive, professional and affordable care is provided with compassion and commitment. A hospital where no patient is denied treatment on the basis of advanced stage of disease or expense involved. A hospital which conducts research into the promise of winning the war against cancer; while educating health care professionals and the public.

He said our mission is provide a standard of care to cancer patients especially the poor and marginalized without discrimination. To teach and train doctors, nursing and para medical staff in the field of oncology. To organize and conduct research in the field of cancer and related fields with a special focus on biomedical research to promote indigenous drug development utilizing local resources. To promote awareness among the public/ high risk groups for prevention of and early detection of cancer. Even advance stage cancer patients will be provided treatment.

It will take us three years to complete this project with this pace of funding, however if funding or grants by institutions / Government are provided easily the hospital will start working in eighteen months.