ISLAMABAD: Healthcare professionals have raised serious concerns over misleading information aired on Pakistan Television (PTV) about chemotherapy, saying such misinformation could have life-threatening consequences for cancer patients.
In a joint statement, the Society of Medical Oncology Pakistan (SMOP), Pakistan Society of Hematology (PSH), Pakistan Blood & Marrow Transplant Group (PBMT) and others said that misinformation about cancer treatment could undermine public trust and deter patients from seeking evidence-based care.
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The controversy stems from the December 13 episode of “Siyasat Tonight” on PTV News, hosted by Shumaila Chaudhry, featuring analysts Rizwan Razi and Amin Hafeez, who described chemotherapy as “fraudulent” and made unscientific claims against its efficacy.
“Such comments ignore well-established global guidelines from renowned organizations such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), which underscore chemotherapy’s critical role in combating various types of cancer,” the statement said.
The press release emphasised that discussions about sensitive medical topics must adhere to evidence-based facts. By calling cancer chemotherapy fraudulent and making non-evidence-based statements, the programme has jeopardised the lives of cancer patients who depend on proven treatments, it added.
Medical experts have called on PTV News to clearly distance itself from the views expressed in the episode and ensure that future discussions on medical issues feature qualified professionals with appropriate credentials.
“Misinformation about cancer treatment not only endangers lives but also erodes public confidence in established medical protocols,” it said.
They said that as a national broadcaster, PTV News should uphold its responsibility to disseminate accurate, well-researched information that promotes public trust in medical science.