A tribute to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre

2011-03-13T05:04:00.001-07:00

Cancer "the disease"
In a country where the majority of the people are living well below the poverty line, to fall victim to a dreaded disease like cancer is something an ordinary person simply can not afford.

It’s natural to feel a little sympathetic for someone suffering from a chronic disease like cancer, I said ‘a little’ because in today’s world with so much unrest, war, terrorism, violence, suicides, and natural calamities so many people dying have sort of made us indifferent to the pain and suffering of the affected.

The only people who really feel and bear the agony are the ones going through the trauma themselves or the patient's loved ones.

Personal account

In July 2006 my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, a shock for everyone, although my wife had feared the worse a few months back at the formation of a lump in her left breast.

Shocked and confused we came to SKMCH (for the first time in our lives). We went through the initial process of registration and acceptance. The initial impression of the hospital was quite comforting (which proved to be true over the years to come), with smooth and guided departmental and administrative procedures, and efficient computerized system, very professional and helpful staff, clean and pleasant environment.

We were interviewed by the administration as to what percentage of the treatment cost we could bear (Rs.500,000/- to Rs.700,000/- over a period of about one to two years), to which our answer was none, which was very true. We were accepted for 100% financial support which was a big relief.

In August 2006 my wife went through a successful surgery, a month later she had six cycles of chemotherapy and finally, she was treated with radiation almost after a month of chemo.

During this active phase of treatment which was more than challenging, we got much-needed support from the hospital staff at every stage.
Even after this active phase, we made numerous emergency visits to the hospital whenever medical aid was needed, the follow-ups still continue to date but with a much-lessened frequency, all this expensive treatment and medical care, consultancy, and emergency treatment were provided free of cost to us.

Thank God today my wife is living a normal life, we would like to thank all the people who prayed for us, and supported us in any way, especially to the hospital staff and Imran khan for founding Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and making it possible for thousands of others like us to get cancer treatment.

The Hospital

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre were founded by the cricketing legend of Pakistan 'Imran Khan' in the loving memory of his mother 'Shaukat Khanum' who unfortunately suffered and died from cancer.
This modern state-of-the-art hospital was the first of its kind in Pakistan, made possible from the donations of friends and well-wishers from Pakistan and across the world.
Established in 1994 in Lahore the hospital continues to provide cancer treatment of international standards to all its patients, regardless of their payment ability. It has an annual budget of Rs. 3.5 billion and provides financial support to 75% of its patients.
Appeal
I would request the readers to donate generously to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and help save lives (a worthy cause).

Hope for cancer patients in Pakistan

A tribute to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre