KARACHI, Oct 23: There is a dire need of funds for the construction of a new cancer ward in the JPMC to replace the existing one, which was in a pathetic condition sometime back but has been upgraded by two social welfare organizations — Behbud and Echo.

The JPMC’s department and institute of radiotherapy has been offering both curative and palliative radiotherapy to all the patients since its establishment in 1957.

The department has 24 beds each in the female and male wards. The OPD is an extraordinary busy part of the unit, with about 2500 new cases being registered each year and 200 to 250 daily turnover of chemotherapy and radiotherapy patients.

The Behbud and Echo in a joint venture had started to help alleviate the sufferings of the cancer patients.

Noted social worker, Jimmy Engineer, accompanied by the members of the two organizations, visited the cancer ward on Tuesday.

Visibly moved by the work done by the two organizations, Jimmy Engineer announced to muster all support and assistance for the ward.

Since Oct 2000 the two organizations have carried out comprehensive work under the supervision of dedicated members of a community comprising Naheed S. Mirza, Nadira Sohail, Khadijah Manzur, Mumtaz Liaquat Ali, Dr Nargis Khan and Dr Arjumand Sikandar.

A cancer ward management committee was also formed, consisting of members from Behbud and Echo. A team of volunteers goes every day to see the comfort of the patients.—APP