CANCER DIVISION
We established Pakistan’s first cancer hospice – a special hospital for terminal patients – known as RAHAT KADA in September 1991. It brought a unique concept to specialized nursing care for cancer patients who have no hope of recovery. At present, the hospice caters to up to 25 patients at a time. But more facilities are needed to serve far more patients.
The Cancer Division provides more than specialised care: it provides a scrupulously clean and attentive environment where love, understanding and communications abound, where trained medical and nursing personnel cater to the special needs of the sufferers who are enabled to spend their last days in comfort and die with dignity and peace.
A team of devoted doctors and nurses work round the clock in the true spirit of their training. Competent kitchen and janitorial staff provide the essential back-up services to ensure a smoothly-running establishment.
Three well-equipped Early Detection Centres have also been set up in different parts of Karachi, but more facilities are required. We seek funding to obtain more x-ray machines, ultra-sound units and laboratory equipment.
Our Zamzama Centre has now been further strengthened by a mammography machine imported from Philips, Holland, and this has been invaluable in screening underprivileged women for breast cancer free of cost.
The Medical Aid Foundation is non-profit organisation that combines hospice care and treatment with creating awareness of preventive and curative care at the grass root level.
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND FAMILY PLANNING
Our centres at Zamzama Street (adjacent to Neelam Colony), Clifton deal with routine health problems and needs of the patients of the area including family planning, vaccination of small children, and mother and child care clinics, Most of these patients are also screened for cancer.
MOBILE SERVICE DIVISION
With the help of voluntary workers we have launched a permanent Ambulance division to cater to ambulance needs for the poor, It fills the gap for the rest of the city as well. They are linked to the larger hospitals in the city and can be reached for emergency services at our designated phone numbers.
A male nurse accompanies the driver of each ambulance to manage the patients on the way to the hospital. This is essential as patients often suffer other complications also such as a cardiac problem or a fracture or may be bleeding profusely. A minimum fee of Rs. 1507- per trip is charged, but is waived where the patient cannot afford it.
SOCIAL SERVICE DIVISION
The rehabilitation of cancer patients is as vital in Pakistan as anywhere elsewhere in the world.
Our rehabilitation programme focuses on families where the breadwinners have died of cancer leaving behind families with no resources for survival whatsoever. Currently some 50 families are receiving assistance from us.