The closing session of Global Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the FDIโs 1166 Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline was honoured by the presence of Dr Soofia Yunus, Director General of FDI, and chaired by Ms Huma Shaukat, Manager of the 1166 Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline, who moderated the event with a focus on community outreach.
In her address, Dr Soofia Yunus stressed the urgent need to raise awareness about cancer across Pakistan and emphasised the importance of educating women in practical self-examination techniques as a tool for early detection. Her remarks underlined how regular education and local communication can strengthen public understanding and health-seeking behaviour.
The session also spotlighted the critical role of the 1166 helpline team in community communication during national vaccination campaigns, noting the helplineโs contribution to supporting the national agenda of ensuring vaccination for every child in Pakistan. Participants acknowledged how the helpline links public health messaging with on-the-ground community engagement.
During the event, Dr Khurram Butt from the Gates Foundation praised the work of the 1166 helpline, recognising its contributions to awareness and outreach efforts. The closing session reinforced the helplineโs ongoing role in public health education and its capacity to support both cancer awareness and broader immunisation goals across the country.
