QUETTA: The Balochistan government has announced an expansion of its Cancer and Deadly Diseases Treatment Plan, making it the first province to offer comprehensive, free-of-cost treatment for a wide range of life-threatening illnesses, including several major cancers.

This landmark initiative is part of a public-private partnership between the provincial government under the vision of chief minister and Roche Pharma.

Under the expanded programme, patients across Balochistan will now receive completely free treatment for several high-cost and debilitating diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Hemophilia, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Diabetic Macular Edema, Breast, Liver, and Lung Cancers.

The formal launch of the expanded project, titled the Chief Minister’s Initiative for Treatment of Cancer and Deadly Diseases Expansion Project, was finalised during a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

The session was chaired by Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, with participation from senior officials of the Health Department and representatives from Roche Pharma.

An MOU was signed between Health Secretary Dawood Khilji and Roche Pakistan MD Hifza Shamsi.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2025