By Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui,
Muscat, 30 Oct 2014: Over 6,000 people comprising children, elders and school students gathered in the Oman capital for spreading awareness about breast cancer and participated in the 11th annual ‘Walkathon’ patients.
The walk was organized by the Oman Cancer Association (OCA) and attracted huge crowds at the scenic Al Qurum Natural Park in Muscat.
“More than 6,000 people paced through the 2km green stretch. The theme of the walk was – Walk for the cure. The event was inaugurated by H. E Dr Yahya bin Bader Al Mawali, under secretary, Ministry of Social Development, Oman,” an official associated with the event said.
A four-time cancer survivor and founder-chairperson of the OCA, Yuthar Mohammed Al Rawahy said, “the walk aims to remember all those who lost the fight against breast cancer while celebrating those who have survived. It is to encourage those who are battling it out.’’
The OCA has a mobile mammography unit which has performed more than 11,000 mammograms since 2009.
Speaking to IndiaTomorrow.net, Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Rubaeiy, news anchor, who presents the 8 o’clock English news on the Sultanate of Oman’s national television, attributed the state of the art health facilities in Oman to H. M Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s vision and wise policies.
There has been a 35% increase in breast cancer since 2012. Breast cancer is the largest killer of females in Oman.
