Shifa organises cancer awareness walk

The Shifa International Hospital (SIH) on Tuesday organised a cancer awareness walk to mark the last event of its ongoing cancer awareness campaign that had started on January 22. A large number of school children, civil society representatives, doctors, medical students and cancer patients participated in the walk. The participants were holding placards inscribed with cancer awareness quotes and slogans showing support for the cancer patients. The walk started from China Chowk, Blue Area and concluded at the Parade Ground, near the Parliament House, where Islamabad Chief Commissioner Tariq Pirzada, SIH President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Manzoor H Qazi, SIH Medical Director Dr Muhammad Salim Khan, SIH Chief Operating Officer Sohail Siddiqi, SIH Radiation Oncology Department head Dr Muhammad Ali Afridi and SIH Strategic Planning Director Mahmood Mirza addressed the participants.
The Islamabad chief commissioner said that the district administration would continue its support and cooperation with Shifa for spreading awareness among the residents of Islamabad and surrounding areas about fatal diseases like cancer. He said that such events should be organised regularly to promote healthy and simple lifestyle among people. “We can live a better life and save millions in national exchequer only by adopting simple and healthy lifestyle,” Pirzada added.
He said that the district administration was establishing a ‘Speakers’ Corner’ in Fatima Jinnah Park, F-9, which would be a facility like London’s Hyde Park where everyone would be allowed to express his/her feelings. He also encouraged doctors and healthcare professionals to utilise Speakers’ Corner to create awareness about health issues among people.
SIH President and CEO Dr Manzoor Qazi said that cancer can be avoided by adopting healthy lifestyle and indulging in physical activities and exercises. He stressed on the need to quit smoking, which is a root-cause of many types of cancers.