Prime Minister Commends PAEC’s Health Services, Calls Serving Humanity a Noble Cause
rime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif commended the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for its vital health services. He spoke during the inauguration of a new cancer hospital in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister called the provision of advanced treatment to cancer patients the “biggest service to humanity.”
The new facility is the Kashmir Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy (KINOR). It is located in Muzaffarabad. Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the importance of accessible healthcare. He stated that serving people at their doorsteps is a noble profession. This prevents patients from remote areas from traveling long distances for care.
A Personal Commitment to Cancer Care
In his nationally televised address, the Prime Minister shared a personal perspective. He revealed that he is a cancer survivor. He acknowledged that treatment is very expensive. Therefore, he urged authorities to understand the suffering of those without resources. He stressed considering patients who travel from the remotest parts of the country.
The Prime Minister lauded the PAEC’s ongoing efforts. He called for further steps to contain the disease. His goal is to “give a smile and ray of hope to cancer patients.” The ceremony was attended by AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, ministers, and health experts.
PAEC’s Expanding Role in National Healthcare
PAEC Chairman Dr. Raja Ali Raza Anwar detailed the commission’s contributions. He stated that 20 cancer treatment centers established with PAEC support currently bear 80 percent of the national patient load. The new KINOR facility will be the 21st in the country.
The chairman highlighted a critical challenge. Nearly 60 percent of patients present at advanced stages of cancer. This underscores the urgent need for early screening and awareness. From AJK alone, about 1,000 new cancer patients travel each year to PAEC hospitals in other provinces. The new institute aims to provide quality care close to home with modern equipment.
A message from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi was also screened. He congratulated Pakistan on establishing the cancer treatment facilities. He commended the PAEC’s role in serving humanity with the latest treatment centers.
