Karachi: As Pakistan sees more than 175,000 new cancer cases every year and public hospitals struggling to cope with growing demand, the Karachi Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (KIRAN) has inaugurated its second Halcyon Linear Accelerator, a move expected to significantly ease pressure on radiotherapy services for hundreds of patients daily.
A linear accelerator, or LINAC, is used to deliver radiotherapy by directing high energy radiation at tumours to destroy cancer cells while sparing nearby healthy tissue. The Halcyon system represents a newer generation of LINACs that offers faster, more accurate and safer treatment.
It uses advanced techniques such as Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy, which allow radiation doses to be shaped precisely around tumours.
The new machine strengthens KIRAN’s role as the country’s busiest public sector cancer hospital. With this addition, the hospital is now operating four linear accelerators, including two Halcyon systems, allowing it to increase its daily radiotherapy capacity from around 250 patients to nearly 400. Clinicians say this expansion is crucial in a setting where delays in treatment often determine survival outcomes.
Cancer experts warn that Pakistan’s cancer burden is steadily rising due to population growth, ageing, tobacco use, poor diet, infections such as hepatitis and HPV, and late diagnosis.
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, while head and neck, lung, colorectal and prostate cancers are among the most frequent in men. Each year, tens of thousands of patients require radiotherapy at some stage of their treatment, yet access to modern machines remains limited, especially in the public sector.
Doctors at KIRAN say the machine can treat a wide range of cancers, including breast, head and neck, lung, prostate, colorectal, gynaecological cancers, brain tumours and certain paediatric malignancies. Built in image guidance is used before every session to confirm tumour position, reducing errors and improving treatment accuracy.
Patient comfort has also been prioritised. The system features a lowerable treatment couch for easier positioning, quieter movement during setup and continuous communication through cameras and an intercom. Safety mechanisms such as collision detection and daily performance checks help ensure reliable and consistent treatment delivery.
The second Halcyon machine has been installed with support from the KIRAN Patients Welfare Society and the Strategic Plans Division. Hospital officials confirmed that all deserving patients will continue to receive radiotherapy on the machine free of cost, a critical lifeline for families who cannot afford expensive private treatment.
Health professionals say the expansion is a reminder of how urgent investment in cancer care has become. With most patients still presenting at advanced stages and public facilities under strain, additions like this not only reduce waiting times but also improve the quality of care, offering patients a better chance of survival and dignity during treatment.
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