LAHORE - Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) has launched its annual Zakat collection campaign, with the hope that the people of Pakistan will donate this year as well.

The hospital management arranged a press briefing to describe the targets of this campaign and the progress of the hospital during the year 2017. At the press briefing, Dr Faisal Sultan, CEO SKMCH&RC, said, “Since its inception, this hospital is providing free cancer treatment facilities to almost 75% to 80% of patients and this requires huge budget as treatment of cancer is very expensive. The hospital has already spent over Rs33 billion on free treatment of deserving cancer patients during the last 23 years”.

Talking about the targets of this Zakat campaign, Dr Faisal said: “Hospital’s annual budget for the year 2018 is Rs 11 billion; about half of this is to be met from public donations and Zakat and the remaining half from revenue generated from hospital services. The total amount of Zakat collected will be spent on the free treatment of deserving patients as usual.”

Talking about the progress of the hospital during 2017, Dr Faisal told the media that a new endoscopy unit was inaugurated earlier this year, which doubled the capacity of endoscopy unit.

He said SKMCH&RC Peshawar has now completed its 2 years of public services and dealing with double number of patients as compared to previous year. Out of all these patients, 60% are receiving chemotherapy treatment. He informed construction of new SKMCH&RC in Karachi will commence this summer.

Dr Faisal said, “We have made giving of Zakat and donations very easy for everyone. For this, the hospital has already activated its accounts in local and foreign banks. In addition to this, the donors can also deposit their Zakat, Sadqat and donations directly in SKMCH&RC, its regional offices, diagnostic centres, collection centres, all Pakistan Post Offices and easypaisa shops, UPaisa Shop, UBL Omni Dukan or NADRA e-Sahulat nationwide. The donors can also donate online at www.shaukatkhanum.org.pk and call at 0800 11555 for the collection of their Zakat cheques directly from their doorstep.”

He further said, “SKMT has its functional offices in Dubai, USA, UK, Canada, Australia and Norway. These offices are also receiving Zakat and donations over there.”