ISLAMABAD: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, in his special congratulatory message issued from the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, has appreciated the role of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission in the fight against cancer and said that the IAEA will continue its full support in the peaceful use of nuclear technology in Pakistan.
In his message released on the IAEA’s official website, he said that the disease of cancer has increased to an alarming extent worldwide. More than one lakh people lose their lives to cancer every year in Pakistan, while the number of deaths worldwide has crossed one crore. To address this serious problem at the local level, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has not only established 21 cancer hospitals across the country but has also developed a professional team of cancer experts, which is undoubtedly commendable.
He congratulated the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission on the establishment of the Kashmir Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Oncology, and Radiotherapy (CANOR) in Azad Kashmir.It may be noted that Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had formally inaugurated the first cancer hospital in Kashmir and the 21st cancer hospital of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission last week.
Reminiscing about his visit to Pakistan, he said that during this time, he had a fruitful discussion with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif regarding further expanding the IAEA’s cooperation for the peaceful use of nuclear technology. He made special mention of his visits to Noori Hospital in Islamabad and Anmol Cancer Hospital in Lahore, where he personally witnessed the diagnostic and treatment facilities.
He expressed his happiness that he had the opportunity to officially inaugurate the first Cyber Knife facility in the public sector of Pakistan at Noori Hospital. He appreciated the partnership of Noori Hospital, Islamabad, as an IAEA Rise of Hope Anchor Centre and said that IAEA Anchor Centres established around the world act as regional hubs for training and capacity building.
He expressed his concern that cancer deaths could increase by 75% by 2050. We are doing a lot globally in this regard, but much more needs to be done.
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