Japan's support for thalassemia patients in Pakistan: Pakistan's first fully developed thalassemia ICU and first heart clinic for thalassemia at AMTF

It is with great pride that AMTF have been serving the community since 2003. Our team is our strength and works very hard to provide 24hrs services to all of our patients.
We are thankful to our Philanthropy Group, Donors, volunteers, & supporters for having the confidence in AMTF for providing services to poor communities in Karachi and those coming from other part of the world.
AMTF is the first Thalassemia centre providing most of the facilities under one roof. A project which was started in 2003 with a room clinic now a three floor hospital having first floor with intensive care unit, second floor Day care unit and Heart clinic, and 3rd floor 24 hrs. Laboratory services. All of these facilities are provided free of cost irrespective of cast and creed.
In thalassemia there is a lifelong requirement of Blood transfusion and once we give regular transfusion it will lead to accumulation of excess iron in the body which after sometime leads to development of iron overloads that if not properly care will lead to damage of organs. Those who are born with thalassemia should receive a proper treatment at the same time strong thalassemia prevention program should be inducted on parallel road.
AMTF has made serious efforts to develop system and to assure that all thalassemia patients should get best services. The leading cause of Death in thalassemia is heart and unfortunately no heart clininc is running in any thalassemia centre in Pakistan. At the same time there is no specific intensive care unit is available to take care of those who are presented with transfusion related heart complications.
AMTF under the guidance of Dr Asim Qidwai (Founder & C.E.O) AMTF along with Mr. Ateequr Rehman (Advisor to AMTF) has started approaching different corporate groups and Embassy so that a better treatment centre will be developed. The idea was floated to Japanese Government also and Special interest was taken by Japanese Consul Gernal Masaharu Sat, Sen and finally the document was signed on 26th August, 2011.
Two of our projects were approved by Government of Japan which includes Pakistan first intensive care unit,and Pakistan first thalassemia heart clinic. A grant of 119,000 US dollars was approved and we started working and finally on 29thFebruary 2012 we started Pakistan first thalassemia ICU and first thalassemia heart clininc.
Now it is almost 8 months that this AMTF setup is providing free treatment to thalassemia patients as well as in including cancer patients. The intensive care unit is 4 bedded and providing services irrespective of cast and creed. The heart clininc is provided free heart clinic on daily basis. AMTF is now heading towards developing Blood diseases in children.
We would like to Thanks on the behalf of Thalassemia patients effortless commitments by Mr Ateeq ur Rehman and team and a very high regards for the people of Japan for understanding the importance of this ICU Project. The second clinic for the heart is also running successfully also sponsored by the Government of Japan.
Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, H.E. Hiroshi Oe and Mrs. Midori Oe hosted a reception on 10th December, 2012 to celebrate the Birthday of His Majesty Emperor Akihito, the 125th Emperor of Japan, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis H.E. Dr Farooq Sattar was the chief guest at the occasion.