Prof Ayesha Shaukat, organiser of a World Cancer Day symposium, has made a request to Punjab Specialised Health and Medical Education Secretary Nabeel Ahmed Awan for formation of a cancer registry body.

Prof Ayesha also presented five-year data of breast clinic at Mayo Hospital during the seminar at King Edward Medical University (KEMU) on Tuesday, followed by a walk.

Prof Khalid Masud Gondal, the vice chancellor of the prestigious university, supervised the symposium while Specialised Health and Medical Education Secretary Nabeel Ahmed Awan was the chief guest and Ameeruddin Medical College Principal Prof Alfareed Zafar guest of honour.

The secretary promised all-out support to campaigns aimed at saving people from cancer. He praised the KEMU and laid stress on organising such events for a healthy society.

Prof Alfareed Zafar suggested joint cancer research programmes between the two institutions. Prof Gondal shed light on the university share in cancer care and research. Prof Asghar Naqi thanked the guests and invited all to a walk.

Similar activities were organised by government and non-governmental organisations to mark the day – an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

Flanked by families and medics patients, especially children, took part in a walk at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre.

Shaukat Khanum Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr Faisal Sultan shared his team’s feats with UICC reps on video conversation.

Special gala for children, carnival for paediatric cancer patients and their families, disseminating Cancer Day messages on different media platforms, Dr Faisal said.

Since 2006, Shaukat Khanum Hospital has been an active member of UICC that has bene campaign to make a lasting and positive change against cancer in Pakistan.

2020 marks the midway point of the three-year 'I Am and I Will' campaign – an empowering call-to-action.

Also, Punjab IGP Shoaib Dastgir said his team is meant for public service whether it is disasters or deadly diseases.

He said: “Blood donation camps are set up to show our determination to protect our people.” Big guns like RPOs, DPOs and CTOs also arranged such events.

Talking to the media, the top cop renewed his pledge to come up to public aspirations and bring about a change.

Speakers at such events laid emphasis on gearing up anti-cancer drive to ensure prevention, detection and quality treatment facilities.  They called for raising global awareness about potential symptoms and preventative measures and made appeals for donation keeping in mind low income patients.