By Asif Mahmood Awan
ABBOTTABAD: A fundraising campaign organized by the volunteer team of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center in Abbottabad collected Rs 2 million, with contributions from students of medical institutions and philanthropists.
The event, held on Saturday, was attended by District Health Officer Abbottabad Dr. Shahzad Iqbal, Dr. Noman Siddiqui, Dr. Javed of Women’s Dentistry Hospital, Xian WAPDA Raja Asfandyar, businessmen, students, cancer survivors, and other prominent figures.
Shaukat Khanum’s Associate Director of Marketing, Muhammad Amir, delivered a multimedia briefing, recalling that three decades ago Pakistan faced a dire situation regarding cancer treatment. He said Shaukat Khanum was established at that time through the collective support of the nation. Today, hospitals in Lahore and Peshawar are operational, while the Karachi branch will be formally inaugurated in December.
Amir shared that Shaukat Khanum’s budget estimate for this year is Rs 43 billion, with Rs 11 billion expected from clinical income and the remainder to be raised through zakat, charity, and donations. He added that becoming a founding member of Shaukat Khanum Karachi requires a donation of Rs 150,000, with the donor’s name permanently displayed.
He emphasized that all donations are audited and that the hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery providing comprehensive cancer treatment. The Karachi hospital’s construction cost is estimated at Rs 31 billion, including Rs 21 billion for infrastructure and Rs 10 billion for equipment, with Rs 9 billion still required to make the facility fully functional.
Fundraising in Abbottabad is now in its second year, with Rs 8.2 million collected from Haripur, Abbottabad, and Mansehra districts last year. Out of 4,312 patients treated at Shaukat Khanum Peshawar in the past five years, 469 were from Abbottabad, including 241 treated in 2025.
Renowned TV artist Tawsiq Haider encouraged participants to donate via SMS, noting that Rs 35 million was raised through the service in 2025. Cancer survivor Arsalan Farid and patient Ajmal Waheed Khushi also shared their experiences, highlighting that 80 percent of patients receive free, international-standard treatment at Shaukat Khanum.
With Ramadan approaching, organizers urged philanthropists to contribute zakat, sadaqah, and donations to ensure that no patient is deprived of treatment due to financial constraints.
