Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
04/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/02/2026 08:30
PR No. 21 Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety (PA&SS), Syed I
The Minister's delegation was received by Member Science, PAEC and the Director of INMOL. The visit was coordinated by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), under whose auspices Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Lahore (INMOL) operates as one of the country's leading cancer care institutions, providing advanced diagnostic and treatment services to patients.
Speaking on this occasion, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah paid rich tribute to INMOL and other hospitals of PAEC for doing a wonderful job. "Today's visit is in line with the vision of the government to ensure poverty alleviation, which is not a slogan but a mission for us." The Federal Minister reiterated that the reach of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and other such initiatives of social safety will be expanded through increased budgetary allocation in the coming years to the benefit of deserving patients.
The Federal Minister informed the gathering of the recent enhancements made to Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal by the Government, which has significant benefits for the underprivileged patients. He shared that Individual Medical Assistance has been enhanced from 1 million to 1.5 million. He said, "One important point needs clarification that the money given to patients through PBM is neither Zakat nor charity; it is rather an endowment fund granted by the Federal Government." The Minister issued directions that the maximum number of patients be referred to PBM for their treatment.
The Federal Minister appreciated personal interest shown by Member Science PAEC to ensure that the vision of his ministry of facilitating maximum number of deserving patients be implemented across all cancer hospitals of PAEC. The Federal Minister issued directives that the mechanism for disbursement of funds to PBM-sponsored patients be made hassle-free and quick so that maximum patients can get their treatment through this important mechanism of social safety.
Earlier, Dr. Shakeel Abbas Rofi, Member Science PAEC, briefed the Minister on INMOL's patient care services, treatment capacity, and the positive impact of PBM assistance in reducing the financial burden on deserving families. He highlighted the role of PAEC's 21 cancer hospitals working throughout the country in delivering modern cancer care to nearly 80% cancer patients. He lauded continued government support for expanding social safety nets in collaboration with public healthcare providers. With respect to facilitation of PBM-sponsored patients in particular and public in general, Member Science PAEC informed the Honourable Minister that we monitor our hospitals to ensure that all patients receive hassle-free treatment especially chemotherapy patients are administered the chemo on the same day and for this continuous supply of medicine is being ensured.
He further said, "Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has been playing a leading role in cancer diagnosis and treatment in the country for over six decades with its life-saving network of 21 Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals spread from Gilgit to Karachi".
"I feel pride in sharing the good news with you that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recently designated AECH INMOL as its Collaborating Centre for the region," Dr. Shakeel Abbas Rofi concluded.
On this occasion, Dr. Amira Shami, Director INMOL gave a detailed presentation about the hospital, highlighting its contributions at both the national and international levels. She also shed light on the reason why the number of patients availing treatment through PBM gradually declined because of the availability of more convenient alternatives like Health Card. The Federal Minister asked INMOL to come up with unique proposals in writing for making the PBM as convenient as Health Card so that patients are more inclined to use it.
Later, the Federal Minister inspected various PBM-supported service components, assessed operational challenges, and interacted directly with patients and beneficiaries to obtain firsthand feedback regarding the effectiveness of ongoing welfare support. He reaffirmed the government's firm commitment to ensure access to quality healthcare and social protection for vulnerable segments of society, particularly those battling life-threatening diseases.
Speaking on this occasion, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah paid rich tribute to INMOL and other hospitals of PAEC for doing a wonderful job. "Today's visit is in line with the vision of the government to ensure poverty alleviation, which is not a slogan but a mission for us." The Federal Minister reiterated that the reach of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and other such initiatives of social safety will be expanded through increased budgetary allocation in the coming years to the benefit of deserving patients.
The Federal Minister informed the gathering of the recent enhancements made to Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal by the Government, which has significant benefits for the underprivileged patients. He shared that Individual Medical Assistance has been enhanced from 1 million to 1.5 million. He said, "One important point needs clarification that the money given to patients through PBM is neither Zakat nor charity; it is rather an endowment fund granted by the Federal Government." The Minister issued directions that the maximum number of patients be referred to PBM for their treatment.
The Federal Minister appreciated personal interest shown by Member Science PAEC to ensure that the vision of his ministry of facilitating maximum number of deserving patients be implemented across all cancer hospitals of PAEC. The Federal Minister issued directives that the mechanism for disbursement of funds to PBM-sponsored patients be made hassle-free and quick so that maximum patients can get their treatment through this important mechanism of social safety.
Earlier, Dr. Shakeel Abbas Rofi, Member Science PAEC, briefed the Minister on INMOL's patient care services, treatment capacity, and the positive impact of PBM assistance in reducing the financial burden on deserving families. He highlighted the role of PAEC's 21 cancer hospitals working throughout the country in delivering modern cancer care to nearly 80% cancer patients. He lauded continued government support for expanding social safety nets in collaboration with public healthcare providers. With respect to facilitation of PBM-sponsored patients in particular and public in general, Member Science PAEC informed the Honourable Minister that we monitor our hospitals to ensure that all patients receive hassle-free treatment especially chemotherapy patients are administered the chemo on the same day and for this continuous supply of medicine is being ensured.
He further said, "Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has been playing a leading role in cancer diagnosis and treatment in the country for over six decades with its life-saving network of 21 Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals spread from Gilgit to Karachi".
"I feel pride in sharing the good news with you that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recently designated AECH INMOL as its Collaborating Centre for the region," Dr. Shakeel Abbas Rofi concluded.
On this occasion, Dr. Amira Shami, Director INMOL gave a detailed presentation about the hospital, highlighting its contributions at both the national and international levels. She also shed light on the reason why the number of patients availing treatment through PBM gradually declined because of the availability of more convenient alternatives like Health Card. The Federal Minister asked INMOL to come up with unique proposals in writing for making the PBM as convenient as Health Card so that patients are more inclined to use it.
Later, the Federal Minister inspected various PBM-supported service components, assessed operational challenges, and interacted directly with patients and beneficiaries to obtain firsthand feedback regarding the effectiveness of ongoing welfare support. He reaffirmed the government's firm commitment to ensure access to quality healthcare and social protection for vulnerable segments of society, particularly those battling life-threatening diseases.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan published this content on April 02, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 02, 2026 at 14:30 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]