A review of access to cancer facilities in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

BackgroundPunjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with only 12 countries in the world succeeding it in terms of population.AimsThis review article has the objective of providing novel statistics regarding available cancer therapeutics in Punjab across four different sectors—including government, semi‐private, trust and private sectors.Methods and ResultsKeywords such as “cancer treatment,” “facilities,” “Pakistan,” were used to search Pubmed Database. 36 results were generated: after sifting based on a personal reference list as well as for relevance, 16 articles were finally reviewed. Novel statistics regarding current state of access to cancer facilities were drawn from personal references as well as from studies conducted in other LMICs. There is a gross deficit of oncological services in Punjab, with the ratio of medical oncologists to population being 0.027 per 100, 000, and every oncologist checking 1300‐1500 patients annually. Only 21.4% of the population has access to radiotherapy facilities. Major problems include lack of healthcare professional awareness; poor infrastructure including drug access, radiotherapy, and cancer pain management facilities; lack of planning; and lack of educational and research programs.ConclusionsImproving education & training, developing infrastructure based on public‐private‐partnership models, building cancer registries and organizing national cancer screening programs, as well as encouraging basic health education and research in oncology, are measures that can ensure Punjab's healthcare delivery system becomes capable of handling increasing incident burden of cancer.

Gynecological malignancies at tertiary care hospital, Pakistan: A five-year review

“…The ratio of medical oncologist to patient is reported to be 0.027 per 100,000 populations with only 21.4% population having access to radiotherapy services in Pakistan. 23 There are various socioeconomic and cultural factors associated in addition to lack of resources in low middle income countries. 24 Poverty has a major role to play and detrimental health impact of growing in a poor family is potentiated by false cultural beliefs they harbor.…”

Incidence, Treatment and Outcomes of Cervical Cancer in Low- and Middle-income Countries

“…In LMICs like India, there is a disparity in the availability of both external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy setups, with several large populous states having minimal radiotherapy units [23]. In Pakistan, it is reported that only 22% of the population has access to radiotherapy facilities [24]. In addition, inconsistency in the capping of treatment costs makes it difficult for underprivileged women to access timely treatment.…”

Infantile T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: a Case Report

“…[20,21] The treatment outcomes for paediatric ALL in Pakistan are subpar because developing countries face a unique set of challenges such as limited access to specialised oncology care units, unavailability of supportive care, nutritional deficiencies, financial constraints and lack of parental education. [22,23] Consequently, patients are more likely to present late with more severe disease or abandon treatment and are more susceptible to infectious complications. [23] Oneweek prednisolone prophase in a cohort of Pakistani children with ALL was useful in stabilising and reducing disease burden.…”