PAEC-run hospitals face cash crunch: Fate of over 0.5 million cancer patients uncertain

The fate of over 525,000 cancer patients is uncertain as 14 cancer hospitals run by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) are facing acute financial crunch. PAEC, under its Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Department, is providing facilities of diagnosis and treatment of cancer and allied diseases to patients from all over the country employing nuclear medicine and radiation in 12 cities through 14 hospitals.
Now, as the cancer rate is increasing by 10 to 12 percent annually in Pakistan, therefore, PAEC cancer hospitals are facing immense financial crunch as they are totally dependent on the government funding. Financial crunch is estimated at Rs 450 million annually, in which Rs 250 million are needed for operational expenses while over Rs 200 million are required for consumables needs of expensive cancer treatment.
Last year, 525,000 cancer patients received treatment at PAEC cancer hospitals. There is an annual increase of around 15 percent in patients' turnout, hence, the administrations of these hospitals are unable to meet the financial requirements to deal with an alarming increase in cancer patients in Pakistan.
Although PAEC cancer hospitals have hi-tech equipment but immediately there is also need for upgradation to introduce latest technology for better treatment and research. The situation got aggravated due to recent devolution process as health has now become a provincial subject whereas PAEC cancer hospitals are under the federal government.
Meanwhile, Pink Ribbon Pakistan, through a petition has urged the Prime Minister to take immediate notice of this grim situation and release funds to PAEC cancer hospitals for their effective running as well as upgradation to address the challenge of rising incidence of cancer in the country.
National Co-ordinator of Pink Ribbon Campaign Omer Aftab says that if the government can allocate Rs 60 million each for 272 MNAs, why can't money be given to these 14 hospitals which benefit the poorest of the poor in Pakistan. If Rs 2.9 billion can be spent on the construction of Parliamentary Lodges, why can't money be spent on the upgradation of technology of these hospitals?