Pakistan's President Dr Arif Alvi has stressed the need for technological expertise in the healthcare system, saying that the country’s healthcare system must focus on the preventive side of illness rather than the curative. He made these remarks at a meeting of the senior leadership of the Aga Khan University (AKU) at the AKU’s Centre for Innovation in Medical Education over the weekend. During the meeting, he encouraged the AKU’s faculty and doctors to form a group of visionary thinkers to enhance the healthcare system. The president was earlier briefed on the AKU’s social impact as a national asset by providing services in basic education, outreach health services, examination system and research. Dr Alvi acknowledged the AKU’s services as an icon for Pakistan’s leading hospitals.

On 4 February, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) will launch a new three-year campaign for World Cancer Day that brings together individuals, organisations and governments around the world in an effort to create awareness and help close the gap in cancer care. The campaign highlights the significant barriers related to socioeconomic factors, stigma and discrimination that prevent many people around the world from accessing life-saving preventive services, diagnostics, treatment and care. Dr Miriam Mutebi, Member of the Board, Union for International Cancer Control and Consultant Breast Surgical Oncologist, Clinical epidemiologist and health systems researcher, Aga Khan University Hospital, Kenya commented that “The Covid-19 pandemic has deepened health inequities and created an even greater need for action to mitigate the adverse impact on cancer incidence and survival. Understanding and addressing the social determinants of health and their impact on cancer can considerably improve outcomes for at-risk populations, particularly for cancers that can be more easily detected and treated such as cervical, breast, colorectal and childhood cancers.”