PM Abbasi urges corporate sector to establish free cancer treatment facilities

• Govt announces Rs100mn in donations for cancer hospital

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Sunday urged the corporate sector to utilize their funds under corporate social responsibility (CSR) to establish free treatment facilities for cancer patients of the country as the existing infrastructure was insufficient to cope with the fast-spreading disease.

Addressing a fund-raising event held at the Governor House and arranged by Cancer Care Hospital, the prime minister announced Rs100 million in donations for the hospital from the government that was being established by renowned Dr Shahryar to provide free medical treatment to the cancer patients.

The prime minister said it was painful to know that 75 per cent of cancer patients in Pakistan die without any treatment, and called for measures for early detection of the disease. He added that such medical facility was much needed in the country as cancer was fast spreading but the treatment facilities were minimal.

He lauded the idea of Dr Shahryar for establishing a free cancer care hospital where no patient would be refused treatment. He added that it was obligatory for every citizen to extend all possible assistance to make the project a success that would cost Rs2 billion.

Prime Minister Abbasi said that though both the federal and provincial governments strived to provide efficient healthcare facilities to the people, but lack of resources was an issue. He said that some more institutes were also offering services in the sector but the proposed facility would be the pioneer to provide palliative care in the country.

PM Abbasi told the gathering that in the recently passed budget for fiscal year 2018-19, the government had reduced the income tax rate for the corporate sector, particularly for the individuals whose income tax rate had been reduced by 50 per cent.

He was of the view that running the hospital would be a challenge more than its establishment, and hoped that the corporate sector would back Dr Shahryar’s team to carry forward the task.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reached Karachi on Sunday for a day-long visit and was received by Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair upon arrival.

The premier is expected to address an Oil and Gas Development Company Limited event at the Governor House.