By Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz, President of the China-Pakistan Medical Association (CPMA)
The 2025 China Conference on Holistic Integrative Oncology (CCHIO), a monumental gathering in the global fight against cancer, has concluded, leaving in its wake a powerful impetus for international collaboration and a renewed sense of hope in this transformative event, which stands as a testament to China’s visionary leadership in shaping the future of oncology.
CCHIO 2025 is more than a conference; it is a global movement. Uniting over 100,000 attendees, including a staggering 6,000 international experts from every corner of the globe, the event was meticulously structured in two phases to maximize its impact. The first phase, comprising seven nationwide forums, delved deep into region-specific cancer challenges across China. The second phase, the global summit, synthesized these findings into a cohesive, actionable strategy for holistic integrative oncology a model that the world urgently needs. The core philosophy of CCHIO, the pioneering “7+1” Integration Model, offers a blueprint for comprehensive cancer care. This model seamlessly blends prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care, moving beyond a siloed approach to embrace the patient’s journey in its entirety. With over 300 scientific sessions spanning 200 oncology subspecialties, the conference served as a multidimensional academic platform where innovation was not just discussed but demonstrated.
A key highlight, and a significant moment for Pakistan, was the reception of the Urdu-translated copy of the CACA (China Anti-Cancer Association) Guidelines for Cancer Treatment. These guidelines, now available in 16 languages, represent a monumental step in democratizing high-quality cancer care. For Pakistani clinicians, this translation is a gift a readily accessible, evidence-based roadmap that will standardize and elevate our clinical practices, directly benefiting patient outcomes across our nation.The conference provided an invaluable platform for strengthening the iron-clad friendship between Pakistan and China in the critical domain of healthcare. We held a series of productive meetings with international leaders, with a particular focus on forging concrete partnerships with Kunming Medical University and the leading cancer hospitals of Yunnan province.
Our discussions were substantive and forward-looking, centering on several key areas of cooperation: Leveraging Chinese advancements in genomics, early detection, and novel therapeutics to address the specific cancer profiles prevalent in Pakistan. Establishing exchange programs for Pakistani medical students and structured training fellowships for our doctors, surgeons, and nurses at prestigious Chinese institutions.
Facilitating the transfer of cutting-edge cancer technologies, including state-of-the-art radiotherapy systems and AI-assisted diagnostic tools, to major hospitals in Pakistan. According to WHO standards Pakistan need 250 Linear Accelerators (1 LINAC/ 1 Million population) while Pakistan has only 69 LINAC available in Pakistan. Dr. Shahbaz also had meeting with Director of International cooperation of FDS consortium Mr. Nie Miao, for MELAC Linear Accelerator for advanced Radiation therapy machines and technology transfer to Pakistan. It will be cost effective and provide advanced radiation therapy to the cancer patients in Pakistan.
In a significant step towards institutionalizing this collaboration, I formally proposed a Sister University partnership between Kunming Medical University and Nishtar Medical University in Multan to the esteemed Dean, Dr. Zhu Youbao. Such a partnership would create a permanent channel for academic exchange, faculty development, and shared research projects, creating a legacy of knowledge that will benefit generations of medical professionals in both countries.
The spirit of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was vividly alive in the conference halls. A particularly insightful meeting was with Dr. Mahruf, the focal person for the Belt & Road Healthcare Center, which is actively promoting China-Bangladesh medical tourism. This model presents a tremendous opportunity for Pakistan. Our doctors and healthcare professionals can use this established platform not only for patient referrals but, more importantly, for cooperation in advanced cancer care and technological innovation. By integrating into this “Health Silk Road,” Pakistan can position itself as a hub for high-quality, cost-effective medical care in the region, learning from and contributing to a growing network of excellence.
Beyond the lecture halls, CCHIO 2025 showcased a holistic ecosystem designed to accelerate real-world implementation. The Congress-Exhibition-Industry (CEI) model successfully created a synergy where the latest scientific breakthroughs were immediately connected with the technological innovations capable of bringing them to the clinic. The exhibition floors were a glimpse into the future, displaying everything from robotic surgery assistants to next-generation sequencing platforms.
Furthermore, the launch of the CCHIO Cloud platform ensures that the conference’s impact extends far beyond its physical dates. This digital hub offers immersive metaverse participation for those unable to attend in person and provides a year-round resource for continuous medical education. For a country like Pakistan, where travel can be a constraint, this digital democratization of knowledge is a game-changer, allowing thousands of our healthcare workers to access world-class oncology education remotely.
The CCHIO 2025 has reinforced my conviction that the fight against cancer cannot be won in isolation. It demands the very integration, innovation, and international collaboration that this conference so powerfully embodies. China, through CACA and CCHIO, is not only leading by scientific example but is also generously extending a hand of partnership to the world. For Pakistan, the path forward is clear. We must actively embrace these opportunities for collaboration, from adopting the CACA guidelines to fostering institutional ties and facilitating technology transfer. The seeds planted in Kunming in our meetings with university deans, hospital directors, and international colleagues have the potential to grow into a forest of progress for oncology care in Pakistan.
The relationships built and the knowledge acquired at CCHIO 2025 will be instrumental in our ongoing mission to elevate cancer care standards in Pakistan. Together, hand-in-hand with our Chinese healthcare professionals and leaders, we are forging a healthier, brighter, and shared future, free from the fear of cancer.
