Arif Alvi calls on Chambers of Commerce to join campaign as partners

KARACHI: Arif Alvi, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has urged all Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Pakistan to become partners in the breast cancer awareness campaign.

This step was taken to encourage women to conduct regular self-examinations and seek medical advice for the early diagnosis of this fatal disease, which could result in a complete cure and allow patients to live healthy lives.

Arif Alvi delivered these remarks during a meeting with top officials from the country's significant Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Begum Samina Arif Alvi, the First Lady, was also present during the meeting. 

This meeting was attended by representatives from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI), the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), the Rawalpindi Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RWCCI), and the Attock Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI).

In addition, members from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) attended the meeting electronically.

Arif Alvi stated that Pakistan had the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia, with over 90,000 new cases diagnosed annually. He continued that almost 98% of breast cancer cases might be treated if detected at an early stage, meaning that early detection and appropriate treatment could save many lives.

Arif Alvi stressed that all Chambers of Commerce and Industry might play a significant role in raising awareness about breast cancer and its prevention by disseminating the message of self-examination and diagnosis across the nation and within their respective businesses. "Shops, shopping malls, and commercial centers might be utilized to display awareness messages, leaflets, and other pertinent items," he noted. 

Additionally, he proposed that the homepages of the websites of Chambers of Commerce and corporations may be utilized to promote breast cancer awareness. Finally, Arif Alvi stated that there should be no social stigma associated with the breast cancer awareness campaign and that patients should be encouraged to communicate their symptoms with family members promptly.

Arif Alvi stated that disseminating the message of breast cancer self-examination for early detection should not be taboo. 
To raise awareness among the general public, he urged the media to continually broadcast and disseminate messages about the significance of self-examination on their morning chat programs and as public service announcements. 

He suggested that this program should target women in disadvantaged communities. He also emphasized the importance of disseminating a list of hospitals, primary health units, and other organizations that provide free screening and diagnostic services.

Arif Alvi emphasized that this year, Mrs Samina Arif Alvi would also lead the effort to combat malnutrition among women and collaborate with the necessary organizations and NGOs to provide nutritional supplements to disadvantaged women to achieve their dietary requirements.

Arif Alvi also emphasized the necessity of establishing telemedical facilities to expand the reach of skilled doctors and health care professionals to women throughout Pakistan, particularly in rural areas, to educate them about breast cancer and early detection. 

In the third and fourth stages of breast cancer, treatment costs would be required. He emphasized that raising awareness might prevent these astronomical costs.

Arif Alvi also welcomed and valued the many recommendations made by the Chambers' representatives. He praised sending fully-equipped medical vans and ambulances to rural regions, small towns, and villages to provide information, conduct initial screenings, and offer medical advice. 

In addition, he praised the call-alert tone that has been played by telecommunications providers since October 1st, urging women to conduct self-examinations and seek medical help in the event of any unexpected growth. 

In addition, he asked the Chambers to form teams led by medical professionals to visit schools, colleges, and universities to raise awareness of this condition among students and to request that they pass this message on to their families.