PESHAWAR – Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has directed the revival of a program providing free medicines to underprivileged cancer patients, along with its province-wide expansion to ensure timely and cost-free treatment for eligible individuals.
The directive came during a high-level meeting on the provincial annual development program for 2026-27, held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Peshawar. The session reviewed proposed new projects in health, agriculture, youth affairs, sports, and relief sectors.
Healthcare as a Fundamental Pillar
Describing healthcare as a fundamental pillar of public welfare, the chief minister ordered the immediate restart of the free medicine initiative for poor cancer patients and its extension across all districts of the province. He also instructed officials to ensure funds for the early completion of the Khyber Institute of Child Health project and to formally approach the federal government for resource mobilization.
Water Conservation and Urban Needs
To address growing urban water needs, the meeting directed the formulation of comprehensive rainwater and floodwater harvesting plans to restore water tables in major cities, aiming to tackle water scarcity and maintain ecological balance.
Agriculture and Food Security
In agriculture, the chief minister called for a viable roadmap from the agriculture department to boost wheat and staple crop production, stressing self-sufficiency. Key proposals included the provision of modern farm machinery to growers, command area development for small dams, interest-free loans for agricultural graduates, and student scholarships.
Major Health Projects
Major health projects discussed included:
- Khan Institute of Organ Transplant
- Establishment of a Health City and General Hospital in Peshawar
- Medical complexes in Malakand and Kohat
- Breast cancer screening centers in five divisional headquarters
Proposals also emerged for:
- An oncology center, a burn center, and a kidney center in Mardan
- A clinical tower in Swabi
Analysis: A Lifeline for Cancer Patients
The revival of the free cancer drugs program is a vital step for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Cancer treatment is notoriously expensive, and many patients in the province have been unable to afford the medications they need. The previous iteration of the program provided critical support; its suspension left a gap that private charity could not fill.
The expansion of the program across all districts will ensure that patients in remote areas, not just in major cities, have access to free medicines. The directive to approach the federal government for resource mobilization suggests that the provincial government is seeking sustainable funding.
The focus on water harvesting and agriculture addresses long-term structural challenges. Water scarcity is a growing crisis in KP, and floodwater harvesting could help recharge aquifers. The emphasis on wheat self-sufficiency is a response to global food price volatility exacerbated by the Middle East conflict.
The proposed health infrastructure — including the Khan Institute of Organ Transplant, the Health City in Peshawar, and specialized centers in Mardan and Swabi — would represent a significant upgrade to the province’s healthcare system.
However, the success of these initiatives depends on implementation. The free drugs program must be revived quickly, and funds must be released. The water harvesting plans must move from discussion to action. The health projects must be completed.
Chief Minister Afridi has set ambitious goals. The coming months will test whether his government can deliver.
