ISLAMABAD: A breast cancer awareness campaign on Saturday marked the official designation of the Nuclear Medicine Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI) as the ‘Anchor Centre’ declared by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Chairman Dr Raja Ali Raza formally handed over the plaque of ‘IAEA Anchor Centre’ to NORI Director Dr Mohammad Faheem.

Dr Faheem during his presentation in the ceremony briefed about the state-of-the-art facilities available at NORI. He gave a historical overview of NORI Hospital and the journey of Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital (AECH), also, the inception of NORI to becoming the IAEA-Anchor Centre. The presentation also included an overview of the prevalence of cancer in the region and the facilities available at the 19 cancer hospitals being run in Pakistan by the PAEC.

The PAEC chairman lauded the efforts of the PAEC cancer hospitals, especially the NORI Hospital and its dedicated team, for serving humanity with great zeal and zest. He further expressed his heartfelt love and appreciation for cancer patients who are going through the toughest trials of their lives.

Dr Raja Ali also promised to extend every possible help from the PAEC management to the medical facilities across Pakistan and emphasised designing a work plan for the activities to be carried out at NORI under “The Rays of Hope Initiative” of the IAEA.

Consultant Clinical and Radiation Oncologist and Head of the Oncology Department at NORI Dr Humera Mahmood briefed the participants on various activities organised at NORI every once in a while to create awareness about breast cancer as well as other cancers, and to alleviate myths and misconceptions about the disease.

Dr Humera conveyed that besides cancer screening, the activities in NORI included pink illumination of the building, distribution of brochures, display of posters, cancer awareness walks, sharing of experience by cancer survivors, and awareness lectures.

The paediatric and adult cancer survivors also participated in the programme and shared their experiences concerning their struggle in the fight against cancer and expressed their satisfaction with the services provided in the hospital.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2023