Patient Welfare Programme

Noor Jehan Cured of Acute Cholecystitis

Noor Jehan's life was a constant battle with poverty and misery, compounded by a large household. A working mother with nine children, she tried to make ends meet by working as a domestic servant in a house in Federal-B Area of Karachi, while Rashid, her husband, made Rs. 80 per day (US $1.5) by selling candyfloss to kids at a nearby school. It was a difficult life and the couple barely managed to clothe and feed their brood.

One day, while washing clothes at her employer's house, Noor Jehan experienced a searing pain in her abdomen and fainted. The family she was working for took her to a local general practitioner. The medication provided temporary relief, however the pain returned at intervals. She tried homeopathic treatment but her condition grew worse with the passage of time. Her health deteriorated to the point where she could no longer go to work, as she was in constant pain. Her earnings ceased and she could not even afford the pain killers. A friend brought her to AKUH, where she was diagnosed with Acute Cholecystitis and advised urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery, for which her husband was given an estimate of Rs. 50,000 (US $834).

Even though they were financially challenged, they had the resources and the goodwill to seek assistance and loans from their employers and friends for the initial cost of treatment. Noor Jehan's condition improved with proper diagnoses and treatment. Halfway through the treatment, her medications had to be changed due to certain complications.

Rashid expected the charges to stay within the deposited amount, but as treatment continued, charges increased accordingly. He mentioned his financial condition to the doctor attending Noor Jehan. The doctor referred Noor Jehan's case to the Patient Welfare Department.  An AKUH welfare officer came to his aid and assured the family of financial assistance. The Hospital paid the additional Rs. 26,000 (US $434) towards her treatment to which Noor Jehan responded well.   

Noor Jehan recovered fully following her surgery and was discharged from the Hospital after ten days. She went back to work, and resumed contributing towards the family income and raising her children.