In a significant move to combat cancer, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has inked a major five-year agreement with Roche Pakistan. The deal, signed on Friday, aims to provide free life-saving cancer medicines to patients in federally administered territories, marking a pivotal step in bridging the healthcare affordability gap.
Historic Public-Private Partnership Launched
A formal ceremony at the Ministry was attended by key figures including Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, Secretary Health Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh, and Roche Pakistan's Managing Director Hafsa Shamsie. Minister Kamal hailed the initiative as a historic model of public-private partnership (PPP) that the government intends to replicate nationwide.
He emphasized that the cost of treating a single cancer patient can soar to an overwhelming PKR 9.8 million. Under this new agreement, each eligible patient will receive medicines worth approximately PKR 10 million at no cost. The financial burden will be shared, with the Government of Pakistan contributing PKR 1 million and Roche Pakistan covering the remaining PKR 9 million, which accounts for nearly 70% of the total treatment expense.
Targeted Diseases and Beneficiary Regions
The initiative specifically targets patients suffering from breast cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer. The beneficiaries will be from the federal capital and its surrounding regions, including Islamabad, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The program will be initially rolled out at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. Its expansion to other centers will depend on the success and outcomes of this first phase. Minister Kamal stated that thousands of cancer patients are expected to benefit, providing substantial relief to them and their families.
A Blueprint for Future Health Collaborations
The Federal Minister expressed profound gratitude to Roche Pakistan, stating this agreement marks the first phase of rebuilding trust in health sector PPPs. He reiterated the government's top priority of providing equitable, quality healthcare, especially to underserved and remote populations.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring life-saving treatments reach those most in need. Upon successful implementation, similar collaborative projects will be introduced to further strengthen Pakistan's national health system, setting a new benchmark for corporate social responsibility and government collaboration in the country.
