International Childhood Cancer Day

UCP in collaboration with Punjab Food Authority (PFA) and Shaukat Khanam Memorial Cancer Hospital (SKMCH) celebrated International Childhood Cancer Day on February 23, 2022. The event entailed a blood donation camp, cancer awareness walk across campus, and a seminar that encompassed talks on various related topics. Dr. Nassar Ikram, Pro-Rector UCP, and Mr. Rafaqat Ali Nissoana, the Director-General PFA led the event and also signed MoU to further strengthen efforts of both organizations in curtailing the ratio of cancer across the country. Others amongst the esteemed guests were the Provost UCP, Dr. Faisal Mustafa, Dean FLS, Dr. Javed Iqbal, Director Community Development SKMCH Ms. Naila Khan, Community Nutritionist, Ms. Shifa Amna Ali, and Pediatric Oncologist Dr. Syed Shazif Baqri.

The event was spurred by a need for social responsibility and the efforts of the Faculty of Life Sciences following their initial collaborations with PFA in the form of faculty and student exchange. With the rise in the spread of cancer among children getting ubiquitous, Pakistan is striving to reduce the spread of this fatal disease along with improving the survival rates. To take pragmatic steps, UCP adopted a triple-helix approach (Academia, Government, and Healthcare Departments) by joining hands with PFA and Shaukat Khanam to participate in this noble cause.

With the new formalized engagements, UCP has further accelerated the activities in tackling the dearth of healthcare facilities and awareness in the country. These initiatives will surely help Pakistan in improving its overall healthcare condition.