Amidst the dusty roads and vibrant streets of Lahore, a silent crisis has been unfolding for years. Cancer patients from across Punjab have long faced a heart-wrenching dilemma: endure the financial burden of private treatment or travel hundreds of kilometers to overcrowded government facilities. But now, a beacon of hope rises in Valencia Town, Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research, Transforming Cancer Care in Pakistan
A Dream Taking Shape in Valencia Town
When a mother of our discovered a lump in her breast last year, fear gripped her heart. At the age of 52, she knew that cancer treatment would drain her family’s modest savings. Her story echoes that of thousands across Punjab – stories that prompted the provincial government to envision a solution that’s now taking concrete form.
The Punjab government has recently finalized the draft of the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Treatment and Research Act 2025, establishing the province’s first comprehensive public cancer hospital. This isn’t just another government project; it’s a lifeline for families like her.
“The day I heard about this hospital coming up near my neighborhood, I felt like someone had finally heard our prayers,” says a cancer patient, who currently travels six hours each way for her chemotherapy sessions.
Care Without Compromise
What sets this institute apart is its revolutionary three-tier payment approach:
- Free treatment for those who cannot afford to pay, especially patients battling advanced stage (level 3 and level 4) cancer
- Shared-cost options for families with limited resources
- Full-payment services for those with the means to contribute
Dr. Kiran Khurshid, who has dedicated her career to oncology and now serves as the director general (M&E) of the project, speaks with passion about this model:
“Cancer doesn’t discriminate by income, so neither should we. Every life deserves the same chance at survival.”
Breaking Ground, Breaking Barriers
On a warm October day in 2024, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif pressed her palm into wet cement at the foundation stone ceremony. Her commitment was clear – this facility would be operational within 12 months, an ambitious timeline that reflects the urgency of the need.
The 333-kanal plot sits strategically along Pine Avenue Road in southwest Lahore, where the morning sun casts long shadows across what will soon become corridors of healing. The location wasn’t chosen by chance – its proximity to major highways means a farmer from Multan or a teacher from Gujranwala can reach it without the exhausting journey that currently deters many from seeking timely care.
More Than Just Walls and Equipment
Inside these future walls, Pakistan’s first public-sector bone-marrow transplant center will offer procedures that currently force patients to seek treatment abroad or forego it entirely. Beyond this landmark facility, the institute will house:
- Surgical suites where skilled oncologists will perform complex procedures
- Chemotherapy units designed with patient comfort in mind
- Radiation therapy chambers equipped with technology previously unavailable in public settings
- Hospice wings where dignity and compassion guide end-of-life care
- Family counseling spaces where the emotional toll of cancer is acknowledged and addressed
“We’re not just building a hospital,” explains Asim Mahmood, a senior architect with the Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab (IDAP), the executing agency for the project.
“We’re creating a healing environment where design serves recovery. Natural light, garden views, prayer spaces – these aren’t luxuries but necessities for the human spirit during its most challenging battle.”
Research: The Silent Promise
The institute’s name carries a commitment to not just treat but understand cancer in Pakistan’s unique context. Research laboratories will seek answers to questions that international studies haven’t addressed: Why do certain cancers affect Pakistanis differently? How can treatments be tailored to our genetic makeup? What preventive measures work best in our cultural context?
Dr. Saima Khalid, an oncologist who plans to join the institute’s research team, believes this dual focus is long overdue.
“For decades, we’ve relied on research conducted on populations that don’t share our genetic makeup or environmental exposures. This institute will finally give us data that speaks to our reality.”
People Behind the Project
The governance structure – a 13-member board headed by the Punjab Chief Minister – ensures high-level oversight. But the day-to-day operations will rely on a leadership team including:
- A Chairman who bridges policy and practice
- A Dean overseeing the academic mission
- Hospital administrators managing the complex healthcare ecosystem
- Directors ensuring excellence in nursing, finance, and specialized services
Unlike traditional government facilities, staff won’t be classified as government employees – a strategic decision allowing the institute to attract top talent with competitive packages and performance-based incentives.
A Community Resource
Cancer doesn’t end at the hospital door, nor does it begin there. The institute’s mission extends into communities through planned initiatives:
- Mobile screening units that will travel to underserved areas
- Public awareness campaigns in schools and marketplaces
- Support groups where survivors can become mentors
- Training programs for primary care doctors to improve early detection
“When my husband was diagnosed, we didn’t know where to turn,” shares Fatima Zahra, whose spouse is now in remission after a two-year battle with lymphoma.
“This institute promises not just treatment but guidance – something just as vital when cancer turns your world upside down.”
Funding the Future
The authority to collect donations directly – a provision in the draft legislation – reflects the pragmatic approach to sustainability. While government funding provides the foundation, philanthropic partnerships will enable the institute to expand services and stay current with rapidly evolving cancer technologies.
Local business leader Anwar Hussain sees this as an opportunity for corporate Pakistan to step up:
“Supporting this institute isn’t charity; it’s an investment in our nation’s health infrastructure. Every company that operates in Punjab benefits from a healthy workforce and communities.”
A New Dawn for Cancer Care
As construction progresses in Valencia Town, the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research represents more than brick and mortar – it embodies Punjab’s refusal to accept preventable suffering. For cancer patients, it offers something beyond medical care: the dignity of treatment without financial ruin, the comfort of proximity to family, and the hope that comes from cutting-edge care.
When its doors open, thousands of stories will unfold within its walls – stories of struggle and survival, grief and relief, science and compassion. But most importantly, stories of hope where previously there was none.
The Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment & Research (NSICTR), Lahore, has been designed as 915 bedded facility, in consultation with International Oncology Experts, as the first ever comprehensive cancer treatment & research institute in Pakistan. The institute is envisaged to be a body corporate with an
independent Board of Governors.
The Government of Punjab has offer the highest management position of the Institution, a Chief Medical Team Lead (Chief Oncologist) to serve as its CEO, leading the institute in both clinical and administrative functions, with the mission to pioneer cancer treatment advancements in Pakistan. More details regarding this position are available at Chief Oncology Team Lead for Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer & Research Center . For queries please contact nsictrc@punjab.gov.pk
