Syed Ali Shah, Manan Mandokhail:
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Medical experts revealed that cancer continues to claim over 3000 human lives in Balochistan per annum. Every year, over 6000 cancer cases are reported at the CENAR hospital in Quetta, Dr. Feroz Achakzai, an oncologist told Daily Quetta Voice.
Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells. Normally, human cells grow and multiply (through a process called cell division) to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old or become damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.
The treatment of cancer patients is extremely costly. Most of the patients present on the premises of the CENAR hospital complained about the lack of money for the treatment of their patients.
CM Balochistan has not chaired endowment fund committee for the last 6 months
Cancer patients and their attendants in the CENAR hospital complained about the timely release of funds for treatment by the Balochistan government. “The CM has not chaired the Balochistan Endownment Fund meeting for the last six months”, Asmatullah, one of the attendants of a patient lamented. He demanded of CM Balochistan Mir Quddus Bizenjo to make sure to chair the meeting of the Endowment Fund Committee to ensure the release of timely funds for the patients.
“Delayed diagnosis of patients main reason behind increasing death ratio”
“Main reason behind the increased mortality rate of cancer patients is the delayed diagnosis”, Dr. Zahid Mehmood, another oncologist mentioned. He urged the people to contact doctors in case of any doubt about the cancer disease.
Medical experts spoke at length about the causes and prevention of cancer, which continues to claim precious human lives across Balochistan like in other parts of the globe. The experts warned about the increasing number of patients with breast and stomach cancer.
“This is a problem that most of the patients approach the doctors when cancer spreads 80 percent”, Dr. Muhammad Sadiq Achakzai, a well-known gastrologist said. He said cancer can be easily cured and countered in its first stage.
Most of the patients arrive at hospitals in the fourth stage: Dr. Feroz Achakzai
“When cancer reaches the fourth stage then the mortality rate gets high”, Dr. Feroz Khan Achakzai stated.
Every year, October is observed as a cancer awareness month to create awareness among the people about the deadly disease. In Balochistan, the number of cases is more than what is being quoted by the officials.
“So many people are dying of cancer without any treatment and diagnosis”, Dr. Sadiq Achakzai noted. He said the major reason behind the increasing death rate was the lack of medical facilities and lack of awareness among the people.
Medical experts observed that cancer was claiming more human lives across the globe since it was a dangerous disease. They said governments across the globe have to focus on prevention and creating awareness among the people about cancer.
