Samina Alvi urges LHWs to educate people about perils of breast cancer
PESHAWAR, Nov 04 (SABAH): First Lady, Samina Alvi while eulogizing the role of Lady Health Workers in fight against different diseases, has urged them to also take the burden of creating awareness among masses about breast cancer which is spreading in Asia very fast.
She expressed these views while speaking at an awareness session about breast cancer held here at Basic Health Unit (BHU) Gulshan Rehman Colony on Kohat road.
World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Pakistan, Dr. Mahipala Palitha along with other officials was also present on the occasion.
First Lady said breast cancer is an alarming issue affecting lives of a large number of female in the country and there is a dire need of creating awareness about his serious affliction.
Begum Samina Alvi said she has dedicated herself to this cause and going city to city to apprise people, especially women folk about seriousness of this disease.
She said if awareness is created, people will take remedial measures and a large population will be protected from becoming seriously ill.
Early diagnosis of breast cancer reduces chances of mortality and in 97 percent of cases recovery is made, but if the disease gets old in diagnosis than it has very serious implications, she warned.
First Lady also laid stress on holding of research to find out reasons that causes this affliction and in this regard measures should be taken.
She said she is also focusing on improving health facilities at government hospitals and to equip every health center will all necessary treatment equipment.
Every department should have to play its role in this regard, because health is a very important sector which needs special attention, she continued.
Begum Samina Alvi said women play very important role in nurturing of children and smooth running of families and for this purpose they perform multi tasks and often ignore their own health.
If a women is healthy, the whole family will be in better condition, but if mother health is not well, all will suffer, she added.
She said it is a matter of concern that death rate due to breast cancer in Asia is 45 percent which is much more than other regions and main reason is lack of awareness among people.
First Lady advised Lady Health Workers to also educate women folk about healthy diet, necessary exercises, better nutrition.
She also raised voice for disabled persons and said they also deserve attention by health workers and relatives too.
She also requested WHO representative in Pakistan to take measures in this regard and involve them in different social and vocational activities.
She said women should take benefit of different schemes of loans offered by different banks on easy terms.
Through such schemes, they can stand on their feet and contribute in nation building besides supporting family.
Earlier, two Lady Health Worker also informed First Lady about the procedure the adopt for informing women about symptoms of breast cancer and measures for keeping them safe.
WHO Representative in Pakistan, Dr. Mahipala Palitha in his speech appreciated the services rendered by First Lady for creating awareness about breast cancer.
He said treatment of breast cancer is very difficult and costly and therefore its awareness is very necessary for saving people from this physical and mental trauma.
WHO, he continued, has trained Lady Health Workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa about information on serious diseases.
Later, First Lady visited different sections of the BHU and also distributed certificates among Lady Health Workers.