ISLAMABAD: The first breast cancer centre in the country was inaugurated on Wednesday at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal, who had also participated in the foundation laying ceremony last year in October, inaugurated the centre, which is constructed over 7,150 square feet.

The ground floor has been made operational and some work still needs to be done on the first floor of the centre, which was scheduled to be inaugurated on June 30, 2017.

Speaking at the event, Mr Iqbal said the government wanted to provide the best health care and that the centre will help diagnose breast cancer and ensure proper and timely treatment is provided.

`Pakistan is one of the countries where breast cancer cases are increasing more rapidly. Women`s health is a priority for the government,` he added.

The minister stressed on the importance of raising awareness about the disease and also led an awareness walk.

Talking to Dawn, Deputy Project Director Dr Ayesha Isani, who is also a radiology professor said the cost of the civil work of the project was Rs58 million.

`This is the first breast cancer centre of the country as other cancer centres deal will all kind of cancers,` she said.

`The project includes a diagnostic centre, ultrasound facilities, and radiology and mammography machines. A conference hall has also been established where awareness programs for patients and women will be held. Machinery worth Rs75 million was purchased for the centre. In the second phase of the project, two more storeys will be added to the building,` Dr Isani said.

She said that though breast cancer claims a lot of lives, it is curable if detected at an early stage.

`One of every seven women has breast cancer. The disease can be avoided by adopting a healthy lifestyle and breast feeding also reduces the risk of contracting the disease,` she added.

In reply to a question, Dr Isani said that though treatment of patients was commissioned by the Minister of Capital Administration and Development Division, he could not attend the inauguration because he was busy in work regarding the PTPs upcoming protest.