ISLAMABAD: First-ever cancer protection plan was launched on Tuesday to address major challenges including affordability, which restricts access of patients to standard treatment.

The plan was launched at a ceremony held at a local hotel, which was attended by President Dr Arif Alvi, diplomats, celebrities as well as government officials.

The plan was launched by Jubilee Life Insurance in collaboration with Roche Pakistan.

Under this partnership, the insurance company will provide cancer protection plan against wide range of cancers, from the most common to rarest types, and offers benefit amounts from 25pc of the sum assured for early stage cancer to 100pc of the sum assured for late stage cancer.

About 170,000 people diagnosed with different types of cancers annually in Pakistan

According to reports, approximately, 170,000 people are diagnosed with different types of cancers annually in Pakistan.

Premium from the plan begins from as low as Rs735 per annum, subject to assessment based on gender, plan term and age.

The term for the plan can be between 10 to 47 years, subject to maximum age of 65 years at maturity.

Under the plan Roche Pakistan will be extending its patient support programme to all policy holders to overcome affordability challenges in cancer treatment.

Sharing the idea behind this partnership, Jubilee Life Insurance Managing Director Javed Ahmed said battling with cancer was an extremely harrowing ordeal not just for the patient, but for their entire family and loved ones.

“We have designed this plan to provide patients with maximum aid for the healthcare aspect of the disease. We are hopeful that this will prove to be a crucial support system for all those who unfortunately have to fight cancer. I would like to extend my gratitude to Roche Pakistan on joining forces with Jubilee for this noble endeavor and together we shall continue working towards providing health safety to people across Pakistan,” he said.

Roche Pakistan Managing Director Farrukh Rehan said: “Cancer is a life-threatening disease which not only takes a toll on patients emotionally but also financially. We at Roche Pakistan are proud to be able to contribute to this great cause which will effectively ease the burden faced by cancer patients.”

Jubilee Insurance is a global brand of Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) that offers diverse insurance solutions (life, health and general) and is the market leader among private sector life insurance companies in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2019