DERA Ghazi Khan is host to the admin-istrative and technical setup of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). The area has seen a lot of deve-lopment since the establishment of this facility, but there is one critical aspect that needs the attention of PAEC bosses.

The PAEC currently runs multiple cancer hospitals equipped with modern facilities in various cities, including, among others, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Karachi, Gilgit, Nawabshah, Jamshoro, Peshawar, Quetta and Muzaffarabad. However, DG Khan, a district with high prevalence of cancer, has remained deprived of a cancer care facility.

The people of DG Khan are exposed to the risks and effects of radiation, but no preventive measure or cancer care facility has been provided to them.

Unfortunately, the number of cancer patients has been increasing in the area. Due to rampant poverty, many people are unable to get proper diagnosis and timely treatment.

As such, a PAEC-run, well-equipped cancer hospital is the basic need of the local people. The proposed facility can be established as part of the already functional Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital. Another option is to upgrade or expand the recently established General Hospital.

Amjad Hussain
Dera Ghazi Khan

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2024