RAWALPINDI, Feb 05 (DNA):As the world observed World Cancer Day under the theme “United by Unique,” the Oncology Care Clinic at Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) is quietly completing three years of dedicated service, exemplifying the power of collective effort to bring quality cancer care to underserved communities.Launched in 2022 under the vision of Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Umar, the Oncology Care Clinic (OCC) was established to serve as a dedicated facilitation center and help close the wide gap in accessible oncology services across Rawalpindi and adjoining regions, including Northern areas and Southern Punjab.
Since its inception, the RMU Oncology Care Clinic has provided several essential services entirely free of cost, including biopsies, baseline laboratory investigations, and diagnostic imaging. These services have significantly lowered financial and logistical barriers, enabling earlier detection and timely intervention for many patients.
The clinic is staffed by a compact but highly committed team comprising a qualified medical oncologist, a medical officer, and dedicated nursing staff, delivering comprehensive supportive and ancillary care.
A spokesman for Rawalpindi Medical University said that since its inception, the facility has served 962 patients, with over 95% of cases confirmed as malignancies.
“The most frequently diagnosed cancers include hematological malignancies as the leading category, followed by gynecological cancers and breast cancer”, he said.
The spokesman added that every patient receives care through a structured multidisciplinary approach. “Regular Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings bring together specialists from surgery, radiology, gynecology, and other relevant disciplines. The clinic also maintains close collaboration with the Nuclear Oncology & Radiotherapy Institute (NORI) Hospital to ensure evidence-based, coordinated, and holistic treatment planning,” he added.
Although the Oncology Care Clinic is not yet formally recognized as a government-approved department, it continues to function effectively under the umbrella of Rawalpindi Medical University. Its ongoing operations have been made possible through generous financial support and donations from RMU alumni and philanthropic partners, notably the Tahseen Sheikh Memorial Foundation, Dr Usman Azhar Sheikh, and Dr Sohail Aman.
“On this World Cancer Day, the RMU Oncology Care Clinic stands as a living example of the 2026 theme “United by Unique”, demonstrating how institutions, clinicians, donors, alumni, and communities can unite to deliver individualized, compassionate, and high-quality cancer care to every patient, regardless of their economic or geographic circumstances”, the spokesman said.
University officials emphasized that the clinic’s journey over the past three years clearly shows how collaborative action can meaningfully reduce barriers, improve early diagnosis rates, and enhance outcomes for cancer patients in underserved regions of Punjab and beyond.
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