Dr. Noor Muhammad Soomro advocates for affordable cancer treatment

Cancer treatment in Pakistan, particularly in Karachi, remains a significant challenge due to the high costs involved, making it inaccessible for many patients. According to the Mayo Clinic, cancer ranks as the second-leading cause of death globally, with improving survival rates over the years. However, in Pakistan, survival often hinges on the affordability of treatments, which are beyond the reach of a large portion of the population.

Dr. Noor Muhammad Soomro, a former head of the Civil Hospital’s cancer department, highlighted that Pakistan sees over 100,000 new cancer cases annually, with Karachi alone contributing 20,000 cases. Despite the high prevalence, government cancer treatment facilities in Sindh are insufficient, and private care comes at a steep price. Chemotherapy costs range from Rs 100,000 to Rs 500,000 per patient, while radiation therapy sessions can cost between Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 each.

Patients like Rehana and Amir have faced immense financial burdens, with treatment costs running into millions. Rehana had to sell her jewelry to afford private hospital care, while Amir spent over Rs 40,000 per chemotherapy session for his wife. The lack of affordable treatment options forces many underprivileged patients to forego treatment, leading to dire consequences.

Activists like Humaira Siddiqui advocate for a government health insurance policy to support deserving cancer patients. While the Sindh Health Department acknowledges the issue and aims to enhance cancer treatment facilities in public hospitals, the road to accessible cancer care for all remains challenging.