Punjab and Germany have taken a major step forward in pediatric healthcare by agreeing to collaborate on childhood cancer treatment. In a landmark meeting in Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif welcomed a high-level German delegation led by Dr. Stephen Michael, a renowned pediatric oncologist and neuro-oncologist from the Hope Children’s Cancer Centre.

The delegation included experts from Heidelberg University Hospital, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and KiTZ – Hope Children’s Cancer Centre, reflecting Germany’s deep commitment to bringing cutting-edge medical expertise to Pakistan. The collaboration will focus on advancing cancer treatment for children, sharing medical technologies, and developing joint training programs.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz underscored Punjab’s pioneering role in introducing coablation cancer treatment and highlighted the upcoming Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore. Expected to be the largest and most modern cancer facility in Pakistan, the hospital is nearing completion and will serve as a hub for state-of-the-art oncology care.

She praised the Hope Children’s Cancer Centre for its support at the Children’s Hospital Lahore and stressed that joint training initiatives with German institutions would lead to transformative outcomes in pediatric oncology. This partnership aligns with Punjab’s broader vision to raise healthcare standards and improve survival rates among young cancer patients.

Wasim Butt, Parliamentary Leader of Heidelberg City Council, emphasized that the agreement would also strengthen educational and cultural ties between Lahore and Heidelberg. Meanwhile, Heidelberg’s Lord Mayor Professor Dr. Eckart Würzner thanked the Chief Minister for her hospitality, calling the cooperation “a new chapter for both regions.”

Dr. Stephen Michael applauded Punjab’s achievements in providing quality cancer care with limited resources, noting that closer collaboration between German and Pakistani institutions would significantly enhance treatment outcomes.

This agreement signals a new era of health cooperation between Punjab and Germany, promising improved access to advanced treatment for childhood cancer and boosting medical innovation across the province.