LAHORE: The Mayo Hospital Lahore has inaugurated Pakistan’s first public‑sector co‑ablation cancer treatment centre, marking a significant advance in cancer care in the region. The facility utilizes a cutting-edge co‑ablation machine imported from China.
The non‑surgical technology, which does not rely on chemotherapy or radiotherapy, uses a two-stage process: first freezing cancerous tissue to –198 °C with liquid nitrogen, then rapidly heating it to 83 °C to destroy tumor cells. According to Dr. Shehzad Karim Bhatti, interventional radiologist at Mayo Hospital, each procedure takes between 60 and 120 minutes, and most patients are able to walk within hours.
Dr. Mahmood Ayaz, Vice-Chancellor of King Edward Medical University, described the machine as a remarkable addition for cancer treatment, providing highly effective therapy for patients. He noted that the cost of treatment per patient is approximately PKR 1.6 million, but no charges are being levied on financially disadvantaged patients.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said she first saw the technology during a visit to China, after which she signed a memorandum of understanding to bring this technology to Punjab, Pakistan. She has directed the procurement of five additional machines for other hospitals in Punjab, and pledged to make treatment available free of cost to underprivileged cancer patients.
Early success and patient impact
There are currently 18 reported successful co‑ablation procedures at the Mayo centre, treating early-stage liver, lung, and breast cancers. One case highlighted was of a patient with complicated liver cancer who responded well to the novel treatment.
Training and sustainability
To ensure high standards of care, Pakistani doctors, bioengineers, and technicians underwent training in China to operate and maintain the co‑ablation technology. The Punjab government also plans to form a dedicated pool of master trainers and medical staff to scale up the programme. Additionally, similar machines will be installed in major hospitals across the province, including Nishtar Hospital in Multan, to expand access to advanced cancer care for patients nationwide.
