Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani delivered a significant address at an awareness seminar hosted by a leading international hospital and the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, urging a national mobilisation on breast cancer awareness and mental health. He highlighted the need to move beyond symbolic gestures and adopt practical measures that ensure early detection and comprehensive care for women across Pakistan.
Speaking to an audience of healthcare professionals, patients and civil society representatives, Gilani warned that rising cases of breast cancer in Pakistan demand a coordinated public health response. He said that public awareness, timely diagnosis and access to treatment remain the strongest defence against this disease, and stressed that a healthy mother is the foundation of a healthy family.
Emphasising the role of women in national development, the chairman argued that women’s health, dignity and empowerment are central to Pakistan’s progress. He called for equal access to screening, diagnosis and treatment for every woman, and recommended nationwide psychological support services to accompany clinical care.
Gilani praised the hospital’s awareness campaigns and services, noting that their efforts have sparked hope and awareness in thousands of families. He urged stakeholders to treat Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a prompt for concrete action rather than a symbolic gesture, saying that social stigma and ignorance are among the biggest obstacles to timely diagnosis.
The chairman also urged implementation of the National Institute of Health (Amendment) Act 2025 provision for a National Cancer Patient Registry, saying that a national cancer database is essential for evidence-based policy making and better resource allocation. He framed the registry as a necessary step for improving outcomes and tailoring interventions to Pakistan’s needs.
Alongside calls for expanded screening and treatment, Gilani recommended establishing psychological counselling and support groups for patients and their families, underscoring that mental health recovery is as important as medical treatment. He asked parliament and public institutions to ensure equal, affordable access to both clinical care and psychosocial support.
Concluding his address, the chairman appealed for a collective societal effort, urging communities to support mothers, sisters and daughters through awareness, early screening and removal of stigma. He paid tribute to the courage of women fighting cancer and called on government, hospitals and civil society to work together to make screening and treatment widely available across the country.
