QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani said on Tuesday that 675 cancer patients have received treatment from the country’s best hospitals with the financial assistance from the Provincial Endowment Fund.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone of the first cancer block in Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Hospital on the eve of International Cancer Day, the chief minister said after completion of this block, poor patients would receive complete treatment under one roof.

He called upon all political parties to help his government in eradicating cancer from Balochistan.

He said the provincial government had made this project part of its budget and it had no political aim.

My Alyani said the provincial government had decided to seek assistance from Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital and set up a child cancer unit in collaboration with Indus Hospital.

He said his government would ensure supply of quality food to the people as consumption of low-quality food caused cancer.

The chief minister said the scope of Balochistan Food Authority would be extended from Quetta to divisions and districts.

He said the revolutionary measures were being taken to ensure quality health facilities across the province.

He said 50-bed hospitals were being set up in 16 districts of the province with latest machinery and equipment.

The 140-bed cancer block in Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Hospital to be completed in two years will have six wards and two Outdoor Patient Departments. It will also have 30 private rooms, a modern operation theatre, radio therapy, pathology and other facilities.

Provincial ministers, MNAs, Senators, MPAs, opposition leaders, tribal chieftains, elders and government officers attended the foundation stone-laying ceremony.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2020