JEDDAH, 14 April 2008 — The Saudi Cancer Society currently supports 4,690 cancer patients, the society said in its annual report.
“We have provided them with various kinds of assistance in a single year at a total cost of SR4.6 million,” it added.
Prince Faisal ibn Abdullah, honorary president of the society, said the organization carried out a number of important programs last year including a nationwide public awareness campaign on breast cancer.
“An agreement on US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research was signed during the campaign,” the prince said. It was the first cooperation program between the US and Saudi Arabia in the fight against cancer.
US first lady Laura Bush witnessed the signing of the agreement during her visit to the Kingdom in October 2007. The agreement will help Saudis in the health sector receive training opportunities at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas.
Prince Faisal said the launch of the Abdul Latif Jameel Center for Early Detection of Cancer was another major achievement last year. The society was also honored to win the Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd Award for Charitable Activities.
“We have also set up a national committee to combat cancer in order to set out strategic plans to protect people in the Kingdom from cancer and provide patients with necessary care. A number of oncologists have joined this committee,” he said.
Last year witnessed the society winning membership in the Geneva-based International Union Against Cancer, a leading nongovernmental organization dedicated to the global control of cancer.
“We staged nearly 30 exhibitions last year including mobile shows at universities, schools and markets in order to promote cancer awareness,” the prince said.
The society has launched a website on the Internet (www.saudicancer.com) where interested people can access a variety of relevant information.
Cancer is increasing in Saudi Arabia with 8,000 new cases being reported each year, according to Dr. Qasim Al-Qasabi, the CEO of King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center in Riyadh.
Al-Qasabi said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah ordered building of an advanced cancer treatment center with 300 beds at his hospital at a cost of SR430 million. “The new center will be named after the king,” he said.
