Second annual Iftar dinner of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) in Lahore was held at SKMCH&RC grounds. The event organized in honor of the hospital’s donors and well-wishers in recognition of their support and cooperation for the hospital was attended by large number of dignitaries from all walks of life. The event was hosted by well-known actor and anchorperson Vasay Chaudhry.
Imran Khan, Chairman, Board of Governors, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust (SKMT) was the chief guest at the event. In his speech, he thanked the donors for their support and said that, “cancer has become the number one cause of deaths in the world but fortunately it is curable now. He said that when he “started to construct SKMCH&RC, people were of the view that it was impossible but with the support of the people of Pakistan, thousands of cancer patients are getting treatment at SKMCH&RC and it is the only charitable institute which has gained the trust of even more philanthropists, individuals and corporate organizations with every passing year.” Imran Khan said the money collected in shape of Zakat is spent only on treatment of poor cancer patients.
Dr. Faisal Sultan, Chief Executive Officer SKMCH&RC, gave a briefing about the hospital’s performance during 2017 and current and future plans of the hospital. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the annual budget of hospital for the year 2018 is Rs. 11 billion, half of which is to be collected through Zakat and donations from our supporters. He further said that “75 to 80 percent of the patients are receiving free cancer treatment at the hospital which has spent almost Rs. 33 billion on free treatment of deserving patients so far.” Talking about the new projects of the hospital, Dr. Faisal said “to meet the ever increasing burden of patients on SKMCH&RC Lahore, we are continuously investing in capacity building at Lahore facility and soon construction of the new clinical tower will start whereas, SKMCH&RC Peshawar has completed its two year of public services. Construction of radiation bunkers in Peshawar is in process where two linear accelerator machines will also be functional by end of this year. He further added that “construction of SKMCH&RC Karachi is expected to start in summers and it will be the largest cancer treatment facility in Pakistan.”
The people donated generously in response to Imran Khan Appeal and the record for last year was broken with a collection of Rs. 12 crore.
Published in Daily Times, June 3rd 2018.
