ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) on Friday informed the Senate that a proposal for the establishment of a 500-bed cancer hospital in the federal capital was under consideration.

The hospital would provide comprehensive treatment for all types of cancer besides imparting postgraduate, undergraduate and paramedical training in all the branches of oncology to produce trained medical staff.

In reply to a question, the house was informed that Rs300 million had been allocated for the project in the financial year 2016-17.

A consultant has completed the feasibility study and the PC-1 is being prepared. After completion of the PC-1, it would be forwarded to the Ministry of Planning for consideration by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) and the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec).

The written reply showed that the site of the hospital had not been finalised. About 20 to 25 acres of land is required for the hospital and the Capital Development Authority has been requested to provide the land at a suitable place, it added.

An official of the ministry of NHS told Dawn that cancer patients were currently getting treatment in private hospitals under the Prime Minister’s National Health Programme but the construction of a government hospital was required as the programme facilitated only a limited number of patients.

“Around 150,000 new cancer cases are reported every year and around eight per cent of them die,” he said.

“The major reason for the disease is the use of tobacco so the ministry has been trying to reduce the use of tobacco through legislation and punishments. Genetic and environmental factors such as polluted food, radiations and infections are also causing cancer,” he said.

The company, which had conducted the feasibility report, was mandated to analyse the requirements of the city and other areas which the hospital would be catering.

Moreover, the firm also had to find out how many departments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy would be required in the hospital.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2016