Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) is launching a nationwide campaign "Save a Life Every Month" from the month of February. According to the hospital's spokesman, the idea is to encourage people to pledge for auto deduction of convenient denominations from their bank accounts on a pre-approved format developed by the bank consultation.
The pledge forms will be provided to the bank, as standing order from the account holder and the specified amount will be deducted as per schedule. It is a matter of pride for the people of Pakistan that this institute is globally recognised for providing state-of-the-art treatment facilities to cancer patients, irrespective of their ability to pay. SKMCH&RC is a living tribute to the generosity of people of Pakistan and undoubtedly a symbol of pride for the entire nation.
The hospital has spent over Rs 9 billion on providing free treatment to poor cancer patients. The number of patients, to whom it provides free treatment, continues to increase each year. As a charitable institute, SKMCH&RC is funded predominantly from the donations of friends and well-wishers from around the country and across the world. The annual budget of the hospital is Rs 3.5 billion for the year 2011, which poses new challenges for the management of the hospital to continue its philanthropic mission. The Hospital relies heavily on Zakat and donations for providing free cancer treatment facilities to indigent cancer patients.
SKMCH&RC is always looking for sustainable source of income in order to ensure the continuity of treatment throughout the year and the campaign " Save A Live Every Month " is a step ahead into that direction and encourage people to step forward and contribute in this cause every month as per their ease and convenience. It is a fact that this journey was started with the support of people of Pakistan, it is being run today with their support and it can continue rendering free treatment only with the support of people of Pakistan.