LAHORE, March 23: The Punjab health department has failed to launch a cancer registry system pilot project in the city despite provincial health minister’s repeated assertions made in this regard for the last one year. The minister, Dr Tahir Ali Javed, himself a cancer specialist, had announced the launching of the pilot project at Lahore at the Tumour Board meetings held at the Jinnah Hospital, early last year.

The minister had said that the government would also seek cooperation of local as well as international donors for a better cancer registry system. He had said that the system would help trace the correct number of cancer patients.

At a board meeting, held on July 14 last year, the minister had also announced that more research facilities would be provided to the young doctors serving at oncology departments. He had also said a new radiation machine had been installed at the Mayo Hospital.

Meanwhile, according to a handout issued here on Wednesday, health minister Dr Javed met members of the Cancer Society and assured them that a registry system would be launched at Lahore under a pilot project and the required funds would also be provided.

He also reiterated that an awareness campaign would be launched regarding breast cancer through lady health workers.

Dr Javed said a majority of the patients suffering from an advanced stage of the disease required palliative care, adding that for 90 per cent of such patients, radiotherapy was the most cost-effective treatment. —Reporter