KARACHI: In a major initiative to strengthen patient services, the Karachi Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (Kiran) has opened a state-of-the-art second Halcyon linear accelerator.

The newly commissioned Halcyon system, funded by Kiran Patients Welfare Society (KPWS) and the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), enables highly precise cancer treatment using modern techniques, ensuring better accuracy and improved patient care.

All deserving cancer patients will receive free treatment on this machine.

According to a press release, Kiran, the largest public sector cancer hospital operated by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), now has four linear accelerators.

“The Halcyon system is built to deliver precision radiotherapy with advanced image guidance used for every treatment session, supporting consistent positioning and precise delivery across all tumour sites. The platform is designed to treat all tumour types in a compact, patient-centred workflow while keeping sessions efficient for clinical teams,” it stated.

Kiran currently provides radiotherapy to approximately 250 cancer patients daily, the highest patient volume for any cancer hospital in the country, the statement said.

With the commissioning of the Halcyon linear accelerator, daily treatment capacity is expected to increase to around 400 patients per day, significantly reducing waiting times, it added.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2026