PESHAWAR: A funding gap has stalled free cancer treatment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), suspending essential care for cancer patients at Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH) in Abbottabad and Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) in Peshawar.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government approved the expansion of the free cancer treatment in KP last year to reduce the burden on Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) and reach more patients across the province. While officials have completed all formalities and addressed pharmaceutical supplier complaints, the procurement of critical medicines has yet to begin.
ALSO READ: Zinc Deficiency Poses Silent Public Health Risk in Pakistan, British Expert Says
Health department insiders say delays in forming purchasing committees stalled the process. Authorities now claim drug procurement will start next week, with a plan to buy over one billion rupees [around 3.57mn US dollars] worth of cancer medicines for three major hospitals.
Until then, cancer patients in KP remain without access to free treatment. Doctors warn that interruptions pose severe risks, particularly for patients with fast-progressing forms of cancer.
ALSO READ: Rise in Mental Health Diseases in Pakistan: A Crisis Among Diabetics
The free cancer treatment in KP started in 2013 at HMC, where nearly 10,000 patients have received free medication and diagnostics. Initially focused on blood cancer, the programme expanded in 2015 to include all types of cancer.
Former health minister and oncology head at HMC, Professor Dr Abid Jameel, recommended expanding the programme to Ayub and Khyber hospitals. He argued that both facilities have the specialist staff and infrastructure to support patients from across the region.
Under the new plan, Ayub and Khyber hospitals will provide free medicine to 25% of their cancer patients, while HMC will continue to cover 50%. Ayub’s 25-bed oncology ward can treat patients from Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, with the capacity to serve 600 patients annually.
ALSO READ: Sewage Samples Confirm Widespread Polio Virus Contamination
So far, the government has spent nearly 10bn rupees [around 35.7mn US dollars] on free cancer treatment in KP. HMC data shows an 85% success rate in treating blood cancer and 70% for other types—figures that meet international standards.
Despite this progress, the current funding deadlock threatens to undo years of effort. Without immediate intervention, hundreds of lives remain at risk across KP.
