Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH&RC) has launched its annual Zakat collection campaign. SKMCH&RC Chief Executive Officer Dr Faisal Sultan revealed this at a press briefing. Since its inception this hospital is providing free cancer treatment facilities to almost 75 percent to 80 percent of patients and this requires huge budget as treatment of cancer is very expensive, he said. The hospital has already spent over Rs 33 billion on free treatment of deserving cancer patients during the last 23 years, he added.
Talking about the targets of this Zakat campaign Dr Faisal said the hospital's annual budget for the year 2018 is Rs 11 billion; about half of this to be met from public donations and Zakat and the remaining half, from revenue generated from the hospital services. The total amount of Zakat collected will be spent on the free treatment of deserving cancer patients as usual, he said.
Talking about the progress of the hospital during 2017, Dr Faisal said that a new endoscopy unite was inaugurated earlier this year after which almost doubled the capacity of our endoscopy unit. Responding to a question about patient selection criteria, he said, "The increasing burden of cancer in our country, coupled with an acute shortage of specialized cancer hospitals in the country our capacity constraints, means that we are forced to priorities acceptance of cancer patients, targeting those most likely to benefit from treatment."
To cater this increasing burden SKMCH&RC Peshawar was built which has now completed its 2 years of public services and dealing with double number of patients as compared to previous year. Out of all these patients 60 percent are receiving chemotherapy treatment.
On the other hand construction of new SKMCH&RC in Karachi will commence this summer. The new facility will enhance the country's overall capacity to treat cancer by offering all diagnostic and therapeutic cancer facilities under one roof, he added.
He said, "SKMCH&RC Lahore has earned Joint Commission International's Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its internationally-recognized standards. The Gold Seal of Approval is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to providing safe and effective patient care."
Dr Faisal said the hospital has already activated its accounts in local and foreign banks. In addition to this, the donors can also deposit their Zakat, Sadqat and donations directly in SKMCH&RC, its Regional Offices, Diagnostic Centres, Collection Centres, all Pakistan Post Offices and easypaisa shops, UPaisa shop, UBL Omni Dukan or NADRA e-Sahulat nationwide.
The donors can also donate online at www. shaukatkhanum. org.pk. He further said that SKMT has its functional offices in Dubai, USA, UK, Canada, Australia and Norway. These offices are also receiving Zakat and donations over there, he added.