Call for Action

#PinkRibbonCall4Action #PinkRibbon

In the memory of 40,000 women dying from breast cancer
A road map to save thousands of mothers, sisters, wives and daughters
For the last 16 years, Pink Ribbon has been tirelessly working to break the taboo and raise awareness on the issue of breast cancer.

Alhamdulillah! After a long struggle, we made it possible that breast cancer has become a priority in the National Health Agenda.

Now taking forward our fight against breast cancer, we have developed a framework which is “Breast Cancer Patient-Centric”.

Issues of breast cancer patients in Pakistan

Lack of access to adequate diagnostic services
Lack of access to treatment of breast cancer throughout Pakistan other than a few metro cities
Unavailability and unaffordability of Chemo, Radiation and Targeted Therapies
Medicines of Breast Cancer are highly expensive
Molecules that are used in breast cancer treatment are expensive and all of them are not available in Pakistan
Breast Cancer is not included in Health Card issued by Government of Pakistan
Baitul-Mal caters a small fraction of needy breast cancer patients
There is no National Cancer Registry available in Pakistan
There is no National Cancer Prevention Programme in Pakistan

Recommendations for the government of Pakistan

To waive off custom duties on diagnostic equipment, especially Mammogram and Ultrasound Machines
Diagnostic facilities should be available, at least at the DHQ level
Breast Cancer treatment to be prioritised in the health budget
Inclusion of Breast Cancer treatment in health card issued by the Government
Subsidise breast cancer medicines or abolish taxes and duties
Allow Import of all Molecules for the Treatment of Breast Cancer and waive off custom duties too
Cancer-causing ingredients that are used in food should be banned in Pakistan
Establishment of National Cancer Registry
Establishment of National Cancer Prevention Programme