The federal government has confirmed that the long-delayed 200-bed cancer hospital in Islamabad will be completed by 2026, marking a major step toward expanding public-sector cancer treatment in Pakistan. The update was shared during the National Assembly’s question hour, where lawmakers reviewed the growing burden of cancer nationwide.
Rising Cancer Cases Highlight Urgent Need for New Facilities
Officials revealed alarming statistics on breast cancer. According to the federal health minister, 376,998 breast cancer cases were reported across Pakistan in 2023, while 25,796 women died from the disease in the same year.
He said the Islamabad cancer hospital will help ease pressure on existing public hospitals, which often lack specialized oncology services.
The minister stressed the importance of preventive healthcare and early diagnosis. He said Pakistan’s existing system has shifted toward “sick care” instead of prevention. He highlighted the country’s fast-growing population — “every year we add a population equal to New Zealand” — and pointed to long-standing sanitation problems, bluntly stating, “We are drinking sewage.”
Lack of National Registry for Cervical Cancer Raises Concerns
During the session, MNA Anjum Aqeel Khan questioned the government about the number of current cervical cancer cases. The health minister admitted that no consolidated national record exists.
He said he had discussed a solution with the NADRA chairman, proposing that a citizen’s CNIC number should also function as a medical ID, allowing the government to centralize and track nationwide health data.
The minister added that over 5,000 women die from cervical cancer every year in Pakistan. He reaffirmed that the government is committed to strengthening preventive programs, expanding early screening, and protecting young girls through better healthcare initiatives.
