Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the Kashmir Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy (KINOR) on Sunday, describing modern cancer treatment as the greatest service to humanity and praising the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for its role in advancing healthcare in the country.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of providing cancer treatment at patients’ doorsteps, particularly for residents of Muzaffarabad and other remote areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) who previously had to travel to Islamabad for care.
He said, “There is no nobler profession than serving patients at their doorsteps. This hospital will spare families the hardships and financial strain of traveling long distances for life-saving treatment.”
Broadcast live on national television, he lauded the efforts of PAEC and other authorities, emphasizing the need to remain sensitive to the struggles of patients lacking financial resources to afford expensive cancer treatment.
Referring to his own personal experience as a cancer survivor, the Prime Minister stressed the challenges faced by patients from remote regions and the need to make treatment accessible locally.
During his visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif toured various departments of the hospital and was briefed on the facilities and modern technology available at KINOR.
PAEC Chairman Dr. Raja Ali Raza Anwar highlighted the commission’s ongoing contributions to cancer care, noting that 20 PAEC-supported cancer centres currently handle around 80% of the country’s patient load.
He explained that PAEC provides comprehensive services, including screening, early diagnosis, and awareness campaigns, and that KINOR would be the 21st such facility, offering modern oncology treatment close to home for residents of AJK.
Dr. Anwar further underscored the urgent need for early detection and awareness, revealing that nearly 60% of patients present at advanced stages of cancer, and that approximately 1,000 new patients from AJK travel annually to other provinces for treatment, facing long distances and significant expenses.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded by urging continued efforts to contain the disease, provide hope, and relieve suffering for cancer patients, while emphasizing that serving humanity through healthcare is the highest form of service.