Department of Oncology

Established in 2012 with Dr Muhammad Khurshid as the Inaugural Chair, the Department of Oncology is one of AKU Pakistan’s newer academic departments. His Highness the Aga Khan has long emphasised cancer as a core theme of health sciences in the University’s vision and mission, exclusively dedicating the Ibn Zuhr building to cancer / haematology services since 2005. ​ The spectrum of oncology and haematology related services includes availability of:

[] medical / paediatric oncology  [] day care chemotherapy and transfusion facilities [] radiation oncology [] surgical oncology [] stem cell therapy [] blood banking [] diagnostic pathology [] radiology ​

All of which are supported by pharmacy and nursing services of the Stadium Road campus. Both, the academic department and the hospital service line, have worked together as “oncology”.  The addition of specialty nurses, pharmacist and paramedical staff helped integrate high quality and patient centred care.

The department aims to deliver the best possible care to cancer patients, integrated across clinical disciplines. It has established clinical research protocols on new and established therapies, an important aspect in improving patient management, and has built an excellent platform of research that interfaces with AKU’s scientific resources. The Department of Oncology teaches and trains undergraduate, postgraduate and nursing students, along with allied health and continuing education professionals, and the wider community, producing top-quality medical professionals who provide excellent care to cancer patients.

The Department has 18 full-time faculty members comprising medical / paediatric oncologists, radiation oncologists, palliative specialists, adult and paediatric haematologists with bone marrow transplant facility. It provides care to all patients with all types of blood diseases and cancer irrespective of stage and complexity. It has established multiple site-specific multidisciplinary tumour boards, initiated the concept of site/disease specific teams and provided evidence-based care. The introduction of nurse navigators for specialties has enhanced coordination and patient satisfaction. Majority of the faculty are on the clinician/ practitioner track thus contributing 80-85% of their time to clinical services. 

The research and publications have mostly clinical based but two research groups including basic sciences and surgery (Colorectal cancer and Childhood Leukemia) have been acknowledged and recognized by Dean of Research. 

The education impact has been towards establishing and strengthening medical/radiation oncology residency, pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship and radiation allied health programs. Recently palliative care fellowship and pediatric neuro-oncology were also initiated. The undergraduate interactions are limited to selective rotations, teaching in clinics and didactic sessions.   

The Department with its present force and faculty strength has tremendous potential to develop champions of site-specific diseases who not only will be recognized for their expertise in patient care but also translate innovative research in these focused areas which can be widely disseminated, recognized as impactful, and adopted nationally and internationally. Our aim is to continue integrated, innovative and impactful clinical care, education and research. ​​