Content
- Chairman\u27s Message
- Light Upon Light
- Mending Hearts
- APPNA: “It is all about service and giving back.”
- “The Aga Khan University is a blessing in this country  - S.M. Pervezhttps://ecommons.aku.edu/impact/1005/thumbnail.jp

Patients\u27 Behbud Society,

eCommons@AKU

eCommons@AKUIMPACT Publications11-2015IMPACT : Issue 6Patients' Behbud SocietyAga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, patients.behbud@aku.eduFollow this and additional works at: http://ecommons.aku.edu/impactPart of the Social Welfare CommonsRecommended CitationPatients' Behbud Society, "IMPACT : Issue 6" (2015). IMPACT. Book 6.http://ecommons.aku.edu/impact/6HEARTS OF GOLDHelping Children ThroughPaediatric Cardiology ServicesNovember 2015CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE2 |  I M P A C T  N o v e m b e r  2 0 1 5Dear Friends and Supporters,Did you know that more than 56,000 infants in Pakistan are born with congenital heart disease (CHD) every year?If the disease remains undetected, most infants with CHD do not survive beyond the first few years of their life and die from oxygen deficiency, congestive heart failure and infections such as pneumonia and sepsis.Due to a variety of factors such as poor healthcare delivery systems, poor resources, fewer tertiary-care centres and limited awareness among both patients and doctors, the overwhelming majority of cases of CHD remain undetected.With timely detection and intervention, a child with CHD can be given a new lease on life. Referring an infant suffering from cardiovascular disease to a cardiologist can make all the difference. The child's chances of survival improve and many children who are treated successfully are able to lead active lives as adults.Aga Khan University Hospital is one of the few hospitals in the country that provides diagnosis, leading to curing congenital heart disease, including for those patients who cannot afford the costly treatment. Our team of experts in the congenital paediatric surgery unit perform approximately 250 cardiac surgeries a year with almost 60 to 70 per cent of these patients receiving welfare assistance.Since January 2010 the Patients' Behbud Society has disbursed Rs 51 million worth of zakat to mustehiq young patients who need cardiological care. Your assistance saved over 300 children, reduced their suffering and gifted them a better quality of life. Some details of the tremendous outcome of your support is covered in this issue of Impact.On behalf of the PBS Committee and our patients, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your generosity during this year's zakat campaign. We look forward to your continued contribution towards the welfare of needy children at AKUH!Most gratefully yours,M. R. MonemM. R. Monem3 I  I M P A C T  N o v e m b e r  2 0 1 5Beneficiaries and Disbursement1 Children with cardiological illnesses assisted by PBS2Disbursement: Rs 51.24 million (USD 0.54 million)Beneficiaries: 367Disbursement: Rs 100.6 million (USD 1 million)ADULT MALE: 1,049Beneficiaries: 2,759ADULT FEMALE: 1,068CHILDREN: 6421From January to September 20152From January 2010 to September 2015“It is not the eyes that are blind, but the hearts…” (The Quran 22:46)Seven-year-old Taha Ahmed is of a delicate build. When he smiles, his eyes light up. Taha hails from the Golden Town Area of Karachi. From birth, his little life had been darkened by heart problems that had left him with frightening symptoms, including shortened breath, wheezing and chest pains. Unfortunately, his family has had to struggle with another terrible trial: Ejaz, Taha’s father, is blind. He has learnt brail and earns some income by teaching in a government school for blind children. Despite this enormous handicap, Ejaz faced his family’s problems with wisdom and determination by seeking help for his son. Taha’s family was referred to the experts at AKUH by an NGO called ULPHAT. In April 2015, the family was directed to Dr Mehnaz Atiq of the congenital paediatric surgery unit. Taha was diagnosed with a hole in the wall between the two lower heart chambers. In order to prevent damage to Taha’s other organs, the unit recommended immediate surgery. At this stage, the Patients’ Behbud Society of AKUH and Patient Welfare Programme stepped in, along with ULPHAT. The welfare programmes at AKUH covered 75 per cent of the total cost of treatment. Although anxious about the surgery, Taha’s parents were consoled by the comprehensive care their son received. The efforts of a medical team led by paediatric surgeon Dr Mohammad Muneer Amanullah, meant their son was undergoing procedures under expert eyes.“At AKUH, we felt no difference in how we were treated as welfare patients when compared with privately paying patients. This institution works for the patients and not for personal gain,” says Ejaz.Since the surgery was successfully performed in May 2015, Taha has been able to lead a normal life. Perhaps the most moving part of this story is Ejaz’s resolution of paying back as much of his son’s medical bills as possible. He reacted to his suffering with utmost courage and dignity – setting a shining example for his son.LIGHT UPON LIGHT5 I  I M P A C T  N o v e m b e r  2 0 1 5“Diagnosis and timely treatment can markedly improve the chances of survival of the majority of children born with congenital heart disease, so that they can live active lives as adults,” says Dr Babar Hasan, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). In 1997, Dr Mehnaz Atiq initiated the assessment and treatment of congenital heart diseases (CHD) at AKUH. With the support of cardiac surgeons who served adult patients, AKUH started catering to CHD cases.The CHD service was formalized at AKUH in 2006 after the return of Dr Muneer Amanullah from his dedicated training in CHD from Newcastle, UK. This unit provided the most comprehensive cardiovascular services in the country. Currently the unit includes four paediatric cardiologists (Dr Babar Hasan - section head, Dr Nadeem Aslam, Dr Saleem Akhter and Dr Mehnaz Atiq), three anaesthetists (Dr Fouzia Minahi, Dr Mohammad Irfan and Dr Mohammad Hamid), two intensivists (Dr Anwar-ul-Haq, Dr Humaira Juraiar), a dedicated nurse practitioner (Amina Khan) and one cardio-thoracic surgeon (Dr Muneer Amanullah). Meeting International StandardsThe congenital paediatric surgery unit provides internationally validated quality care in a timely and organised manner.  It is one of the only such programmes in the country to be accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) and recognised by the International Quality Improvement Collaborative (IQIC). It is also the recipient of an award from the IQIC. Although congenital heart surgery in developing countries offers access to children who would otherwise die, surgery is particularly challenging and associated with high mortality. The IQIC helps evaluate, maintain and improve surgical outcomes among practicing hospitals.The congenital paediatric surgery unit is one of the only programmes to: •  Perform ECMO: an intervention for children with cardiac and respiratory failure.  •  Offer highly advanced diagnostic services such as cardiac MRI, myocardial strain     analysis (which studies muscular tissue of the heart) and cardiac T2* imaging for    thalassemia cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle. • Perform one of the largest number of cardiac CT angiogram or imaging in     congenital heart disease patients (even in newborn babies).  Reaching Out • The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has introduced its cardiology services    at its largest secondary hospital, the Aga Khan Maternal and Child Care Centre    (AKMCCC) in Hyderabad. The AKMCCC will include cardiac clinics by     cardiologists from AKUH, Karachi as well as diagnostic services. • The Hospital also plans to launch a telehealth clinic this year, where cardiologists    from AKUH, Karachi, will be available for consultation via the latest     telecommunication technology.The congenital paediatric surgery unit performs approximately 250 cardiac surgeries a year with almost 60 to 70 per cent of these patients receiving welfare assistance. Furthermore, approximately 90 per cent of thalassemia cardiomyopathy patients are assisted via welfare (from the Paediatric Welfare Fund and a private donor).PAEDIATRIC WELFARE FUNDThe main objective of the Paediatric Welfare Fund is to enlarge the net of financial assistance to needy children who are admitted to AKUH for treatment. As a first step towards improving access to health care for children, a team of dedicated and concerned doctors at the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health formed this fund in 2013. The fund caters to children from semi-urban and rural communities, as well as those referred by other public sector and charity hospitals. Since 2013, over 2500 paediatric patients have been assisted with Rs 27 million, and have been provided with specialist services including cardiological care.MENDING HEARTSPAEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGICAL CARE AT AKUH6 |  I M P A C T  N o v e m b e r  2 0 1 5 7 I  I M P A C T  N o v e m b e r  2 0 1 5“THE AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY IS A BLESSING IN THIS COUNTRY” S.M. PERVEZFor over 38 years, APPNA (Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America) has been bringing together physicians of Pakistani origin who have a “passion to give back”. APPNA has backed numerous educational, research and social causes.On August 12, 2015, the 18th Annual APPNA Convention was held in Orlando. The convention was a platform for over 140 exhibitors including entrepreneurs, manufacturers, non-profits and NGO’s.  The joyful event brought together a variety of AKU alumni, prospective students and alumni of other medical colleges in our country, along with their families and friends.  Amongst the attendees, were the committee members of the Patients’ Behbud Society for AKUH: Honorary Secretary Zahir Janmohamed and Dr Farhat Abbas along with AKU employees: Mariam Halai, Abdul Haq Wahedna, Louis Ariano and Nazish Bandeali. The event was an occasion for the AKU team to spread awareness about the incredible work being done by the Patient’s Behbud Society for AKUH and launch the AKU Annual Fund (a yearly appeal to support patient welfare and student financial assistance). The event proved to be a success and generated donations, appreciation and encouragement for AKU’s work in Karachi. Moreover, the event gave the AKU team a great chance to build ties with alumni, medical practitioners and diaspora in North America. APPNA: “IT IS ALL ABOUT SERVICE AND GIVING BACK.” 8 |  I M P A C T  N o v e m b e r  2 0 1 5 9 I  I M P A C T  N o v e m b e r  2 0 1 5S.M. Pervez is a well-known name in Pakistan. He is the director of the Din Group of Industries, a well-established business group with interests in leather, textiles, banking, real estate and equity markets. The group has exports worth over US $100 million per annum and annual sales turnover in excess of US $135 million.S.M. Pervez is an example of both a dedicated professional and an exceptional human being and has been appointed as the Justice of Peace, Karachi Division by the Government of Sindh. He has supported various organisations such as SIUT, Indus Hospital and Din College Chiniot.Mr Pervez’s involvement with AKUH started in 2008. Prior to this, he had ‘many misconceptions’ about the welfare system of the Hospital, including the belief that it only helped members of its own community. A visit to the AKUH, where Mr Pervez was able to see the facilities and staff in action, as well as the welfare efforts of the Hospital, soon changed this perception.Mr Pervez joined the Patients’ Behbud Society of AKUH as a committee member, and with his fellow committee members began to work towards creating awareness amongst his business peers about the Hospital.Mr Pervez cites very clear reasons for his support of AKUH and its welfare programmes. He emphasizes how the Hospital is one of the only institutions in the country that providesPlease Contribute Your Zakat To PBSApproved u/s 2(36) (c) of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001Contributions eligible for tax credit u/s 61Registered with Pakistan Centre for PhilanthropySend your zakat contributions to:The Patients’ Behbud Society for AKUH, Stadium Road, Karachi Tel: +92 21 3486 3000; Cell: +92 300 072 3000 Email: patients.behbud@aku.edu  Website: http://pbs.akuh.org/      www.facebook.com/zakat.akuhI wish to contribute PKR/USD                                                            *as zakat to The Patients’ Behbud Society for AKUH.Tel: Mobile:Email:Cheque/Wire Transfer Transaction #:Bank: Donor’s Name: Address:Date:Mode of Payment:      Cheque        Wire TransferFunding Options:              ChemotherapyCardiologyPaediatricsGeneralOUR MEMBERSM. R. Monem, ChairmanZahir Janmohamed, Honorary SecretaryAbdur Rahim TariqAnwar RammalEbrahim SidatFarhat AbbasNadeem M. KhanS. M. PervezNadeem YahyaTalat DehlaviYasin SiddikZahid Khan10 |  I M P A C T  N o v e m b e r  2 0 1 5comprehensive, end-to-end diagnostic and treatment facilities to patients. The hospital has multiple departments and offers exemplary primary, secondary and specialist health care services. “Aga Khan University Hospital is not a charitable hospital. It is a private hospital and the majority of the cases coming to this hospital are very complex,” he says, adding with absolute conviction, “These cases can only be handled by AKUH.” Mr Pervez acknowledges that AKUH is more expensive than other hospitals but reasons that this is due to the Hospital’s adherence to the highest international standards, including the JCI accreditation.“High quality cannot be obtained at a low cost”, he explains.In order to cater to patients who cannot afford treatment, AKUH has welfare programmes. For example, the Patients’ Behbud Society provides financial support to zakat mustehiq patients, also covering the cost of subsidised lab tests. The welfare office ensures anonymity of the patient so that there is no discrimination in the care given by medical staff. Through these welfare programmes, AKUH extends quality care to every segment of the population. Speaking about his committment to charitable and social causes, Mr Pervez says:“It is my firm belief, being a Muslim, jo zakat deta hai, us key karobar mein barkat hoti hai - if you are generous to the poor, you will be blessed with much more than what you give.” HBLAccount Title  The Patients’ Behbud Society for AKUHBank  Habib Bank Limited, Karsaz Branch, KarachiBranch Code  0896Account Number  89001107-03IBAN # PK65 HABB 0008968900110703For Overseas ContributionsSwift Code  HABBPKKACorrespondence Bank Habib Bank Limited, New YorkSwift Code  HABBUS33Address  60 East, 42nd Street, Suite 535,  New York, NY 10165, USASoneri Bank LtdAccount Title  The Patients’ Behbud Society for AKUHBank  Soneri Bank Limited, Islamic Banking,  Cloth Market Branch, KarachiBranch Code  0048Account Number  01520002293IBAN # PK58SONE0004801520002293For Overseas ContributionsSwift Code  SONEPKKAICKCorrespondence Bank Standard Chartered BankSwift Code  SCBLUS33Address  1095 Avenue of the Americas,  New York, NY 10036, USAMCB IslamicAccount Title The Patients’ Behbud Society for AKUHBank MCB Islamic Bank, Khalid Bin Waleed Road Branch, KarachiBranch Code 1923Account Number 9001713691000296IBAN # PK27MUCB9001713691000296Bank Alfalah LimitedAccount Title The Patients’ Behbud Society for AKUHBank Bank Alfalah Limited, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Branch, KarachiBranch Code 5518Account Number 5000170948IBAN # PK10ALFH5518005000170948THROUGH THE i-CARE FUND AMERICA INC.Please visit www.i-care-america.org/donorsKindly let us know when the payment is made by sending an email at patients.behbud@aku.eduPayment through cheque/wire transfer:Account Title The i-Care Fund America Inc.Bank Bank of AmericaAccount Number 4636612240Swift Code BOFAUS3NABA Number  026009593 orACH R/T  011000138Address 139 Charles Street, # 348,   Boston, MA 02114, USAPhone +1 678-248-9999Email info@i-care-america.orgFor online donation:ZAKATYOU CAN CONTRIBUTE YOURTHROUGH YOUR VISA CARD AT www.pbs.akuh.orgOR AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING BANKS

IMPACT : Issue 6

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IMPACT : Issue 6

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