KARACHI: Cytogenetic lab to be established at NICH
KARACHI, April 15: An advanced cytogenetic laboratory for diagnosis of cancer, being established at the National Institute Child Health, will be operational by March 2007.
The laboratory would provide free of cost cytogenetic testing to patients of the National Institute of Child Health while charge the outside patients who are under treatment for cancer at other institutions.
This was stated by the Child Aid Association President Prof Nizamul Hasan while addressing a programme organized to mark the 7th Foundation Day of Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the NICH here on Saturday.
The cytogenetic laboratory is a joint project of the Child Aid Association, the NICH Administration, the Department of Cytogenetics Texas Children Hospital Houston, the USA and the Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America.
Prof Nizam said that the Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America had remitted a sum of US$27,000 for the purchase of equipment while as much additional amount would be released after this amount was utilized.
He said that selection of a person was in progress for three-month training in Cyto-technology in the UK.
“A total of Rs25 million is required to run smoothly the lab,” he pointed out and added that the Child Aid Association was trying to raise the funds.
Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, who was the chief guest, congratulated the Child Aid Association team on its sincere efforts for the treatment of child patients of cancer. She said that though she was not aware with the number of children suffering from cancer in the country the ceremony gave her a brief view of prevalence of cancer in the country. The naib nazim said that she would request President Musharraf, who is due here on April 17, to provide necessary facilities and financial aid to the NICH.
NICH Director Dr Afroze Ramzan gave a brief of the services provided by the NICH to patients, coming form all over Pakistan. She stressed on federal health ministry and the NICH to start Bone Marrow Transplant services with the cooperation of the Child Aid Association. Dr Afroze said that a doctor working at the NICH would soon be sent to Singapore for the training of BMT with cooperation of philanthropists.
Famous political analyst Dr Shahid Masood, who in the past had worked as a doctor in Jinnah hospital, congratulated the staff and management of the NICH for conducting the ceremony. He offered his help for sending the doctor of NIHC for training in Singapore. He also gave suggestion to hold a telethon for the NICH to gather financial help.
At the end, Dr Abdul Majid gave the vote of thanks. –-APP/PPI
KARACHI, April 15: An advanced cytogenetic laboratory for diagnosis of cancer, being established at the National Institute Child Health, will be operational by March 2007.
