Pakistanis raise funds for charity hospital
Karachi-based Indus Hospital provides quality care to millions for free
Leaders from the Pakistani expat community in the UAE, including businessmen, professionals and prominent individuals, attended the annual fundraising gala dinner for the benefit of ‘Indus Hospital and Health Network’ (IHHN) on Thursday.
IHHN, a self-sustaining health network which solely relies on public donations, provides quality care that is freeof-cost to millions of underprivileged citizens in Pakistan.
IHHN Founder and CEO Dr Abdul Bari Khan told Gulf News Thursday’s fundraiser was a sold-out charity event. Last year, there was no face-to-face gala dinner due to the Covid-19 situation then, but this year around 300 Pakistani expats were in attendance, he said.
The event was oganised by Arif Lakhani, a Dubai-based senior Pakistani banker. Dr Bari added the purpose of the gathering was to raise funds for the 1,350-bed hospital expansion and medical university being constructed in Karachi. He said: “Our aim is to open it in 2023. It’ll be the biggest charity hospital in Pakistan, providing comprehensive quality care to indigent patients.”
Compassionate hospital
Dr Bari founded IHHN in 2007. Starting with only one hospital in Karachi, IHHN is now managing multiple tertiary and secondary-care hospitals, physical rehabilitation centres, regional blood centres, community health centres, and various public health programmes across Pakistan.
“Our primary funding comes from the Pakistani nationals residing inside and outside our country,” he said.
Dr Bari added that around 500,000 patients are being treated by IHHN monthly and more than 10,500 children have been treated for cancer and blood diseases.
Network in Dubai
IHHN’s international chapter in Dubai serves to raise funds through events and activities by creating awareness about the hospital’s efforts in Pakistan among the Pakistani community residing in the UAE. Indus Hospital UAE branch is registered with International Humanitarian City in Dubai, said Dr Bari.
Every year, Pakistani expats in the UAE gather support for IHNN. Prominent Pakistani banker Arif Lakhani said: “By mobilising businessmen, individuals and volunteers, we aim to make free-of-cost health care a reality for everyone who can not afford it.”
Pakistani businessman Shabbir Merchant, said: “The IHHN team is very strong and hardworking. We want them to continue providing quality healthcare services freeof-cost to underserved people back in our home country.”