Patient Welfare Programme

Corrective Surgery Restores Iqbal's Quality of Life

Twenty-two year old Iqbal was admitted to AKUH severely debilitated by vomiting and fever, neither able to eat nor perform his daily activities, and had also lost a significant amount of weight. He was diagnosed with megacolon, a dilation or lengthening of the colon due to an obstruction or disease, leading to difficulty in breathing, food intake and digestion.

The eldest of seven children, Iqbal was an apprentice electrician and the primary breadwinner in his family along with his father, who worked in a milk shop. With a joint monthly income of Rs. 10,000 (US$ 167), the family struggled to make ends meet. They could only afford to pay Rs. 5,000 (US$ 83) of the total Rs. 151,924 (US$ 2,532) required for the corrective surgery. Iqbal's physician advised him to onsult the Hospital's welfare officer, who, after reviewing his case, assured him of his eligibility for financial assistance. The Patient Welfare Programme provided Rs. 75,962 (US$ 1,266) towards the  treatment. The remaining Rs. 50,000 (US$ 833) was donated by "The Patients Behbud Society for AKUH", started by a group of the University's well wishers and friends, through which zakat contributions are received and disbursed to the deserving. 

After surgery, Iqbal recovered rapidly and was soon back on his feet. He is now a fully qualified electrician and a key contributor to his family’s income.