Lahore :This, Breast Cancer Awareness Month BIMA Mobile, the leading provider of digital health and insurtech services in Pakistan teamed up with the Honourable First Lady of Pakistan, Begum Samina Arif Alvi to host a digital meet up to raise awareness of the disease.
#GoPinkwithBIMA was aimed at harnessing the power of social media to discuss different aspects of Breast Cancer Awareness in Pakistan, where 90,000 women are diagnosed every year. The event was graced by the First Lady of Pakistan, Begum Samina Arif Alvi as the chief guest, a true champion of Breast Cancer Awareness and one of Pakistan’s most significant and influential voice of the cause.
The event opened with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the National Anthem of Pakistan, followed by an introductory note by Hina Qaiser (Head of Marketing, BIMA Mobile) and addresses by Murtaza Khalil Hassan (CEO BIMA Mobile), The First Lady of Pakistan, Begum Samina Arif Alvi and Dr. Ahmad Mansoor (Chief Medical Officer (CMO) BIMA Mobile). After the initial addresses, guest Consultant Medical Oncologist Dr. Umme Kalsoom Awan answered questions from the audience related to Breast Cancer.
“Breast cancer is a serious issue for developed and developing countries. Globally every year over 1.3 million patients are diagnosed with breast cancer. Globally, the mortality rate for the disease is around 3 to 4 % whereas in Pakistan it is almost 45 % which is indeed an alarming situation. According to experts if the disease is diagnosed at the first stage there are 95 % of survival chances which means that mortality rate can be reduced through educating women about the early symptoms of the disease. Doctors, philanthropists, civil society, military institutions, hospitals, schools, universities and NGOs have joined the drive for creating the maximum awareness about breast cancer. I would also like to appreciate the response of the media particularly newspapers and social media are also playing a significant role. I urge the media to keep creating awareness regarding the disease throughout the year.” said First Lady of Pakistan, Begum Samina Arif Alvi
“I thank the Honourable First Lady for her support and attendance today. With our work entirely focused on Health in Pakistan, the month of October has always been very significant to us given its resonance with breast cancer, serving as a reminder to spread greater awareness to regularly self-check & to be screened in the hope that early detection will lead to more positive outcomes in the fight against breast cancer. On our part, through our expert tele-doctors and tailored health programmes we continue to champion greater health and wellness awareness for our customers. Given that in Asia, Breast cancer has the highest rates of incidence in Pakistan, we wanted to use our voice while harnessing the reach of social media combined with the power of voices of influence” said Murtaza Khalil Hassan, CEO BIMA Mobile Pakistan
“In a healthcare stressed country like Pakistan, lack of awareness is augmented by the challenges of access to healthcare. In an evolving eco-system tele-medicine has its role bridging the healthcare gap. BIMA believes it is its role to provide curative but also address preventive health especially women’s health. Women’s Health is one of the four tailored health programmes and 60% of our doctor force is female to address these issues. Breast Cancer is an issue close to BIMA’s core values as well and I thank the Honourable First Lady & Dr Umme Kulsoom for their support. It is our responsibility not just as healthcare providers but also as members of the civil society to combat lack of awareness and in turn improve outcomes” said Dr. Ahmad Mansoor, CMO BIMA
In Pakistan, more than 50% of the population don’t have access to basic healthcare; this means that women may struggle to receive breast cancer advice or diagnosis. BIMA Mobile offers customers unlimited access to qualified tele-doctors at affordable prices (from PKR 43 per month). Customers can contact the doctors at the touch of a button, without having to sacrifice long hours and the financial expense of clinic visits, and receive quality health consultations over the phone.