TEHRAN – Seyed Mostafa Zamanisani, a health charity worker, donated 400 billion rials (nearly $12 million) for construction of a cancer research and treatment center in the city of Shiraz in Fars Province, IRNA news agency reported.

Zamanisani, who spoke at a ceremony held to inaugurate the health center on Saturday, said that the research and medical facility is 3,400 square meters, with 10 floors, 72 chemotherapy beds, three units of radiotherapy, 53 highly specialized cancer-related clinics, two operation rooms, 12 labs and other related facilities.

He expressed hope that the center would turn into a hub to serve cancer patients not just nationwide but worldwide.

He added that one floor of the building is dedicated to raise people’s awareness about cancer and help them to overcome their fear.

Zamanisani has formerly donated 100 billion rials (about $3 million) to construct an obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) clinic in Shiraz.

Doctor Ghaderi, head of the cancer research department at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences said that the construction of the center is moving quickly because Zamanisani is not only one of the project monetary donors but has hand in building the center as well.

Reza Malekzadeh, head of the national cancer committee, who had also attended the ceremony, said that stomach cancer in men and breast cancer in women are the most rampant cancers in Iran.

Malekzadeh named smoking, obesity, inadequate use of fruit and vegetables, unhealthy diets, and salt overuse among the most important factors in cancer. The center in Shiraz is going to offer a great help to all those who suffer from cancer, he said.

Moreover the center is going to supply equal healthcare services for everyone, he concluded.

M/