Rawalpindi, October 31: Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace, Ms. Fauzia Viqar, has called for urgent government action to provide free and accessible breast cancer screening across Pakistan. Speaking as Chief Guest at a Breast Cancer Awareness Session hosted by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI), Ms. Viqar emphasized the critical importance of early detection in saving women’s lives.
The awareness session, held in collaboration with Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, was part of a national effort to address Pakistan’s alarmingly high breast cancer rates over 92,000 new cases are reported annually, with one in ten women at risk in her lifetime.
Ms. Viqar highlighted the intersection of health and women’s rights, stating, “Women cannot be empowered if they are not healthy. Ensuring access to preventive care, including mammogram screening, is a fundamental public health responsibility and a gender equity issue.”
She joined Lt. Gen (R) Nigar Johar Khan, Pakistan’s first female Surgeon General and RCCI Brand Ambassador, in calling for joint public-private efforts to combat the disease. The two trailblazing women inspired attendees with their remarks on the need for proactive healthcare systems and gender-sensitive policy reforms.
RCCI President Mr. Usman Shaukat praised the contributions of women to national development and stressed the power of awareness and early diagnosis in reducing mortality. Group Leader and former RCCI President Mr. Sohail Altaf echoed calls for free, nationwide screening services, urging greater private sector involvement in preventive healthcare initiatives.
The session concluded with a united appeal to federal and provincial governments to prioritize women’s health by institutionalizing regular, cost-free breast cancer screening in all government hospitals across Pakistan.
