Indus Hospital & Health Network Unveils its Ramazan Campaign 2023

Over two hundred distinguished guests gathered to witness the unveiling of the Indus Hospital and Health Network’s (IHHN) Ramzan Campaign 2023. Those in attendance included media and government officials, IHHN’s valued donors and senior leadership, patients and their families, youth volunteers and various members of staff. The unveiling took place at the Indus Hospital, Korangi Campus, Karachi on March 11, 2023. With the Ramazan Campaign 2023, IHHN aims to generate enough resources to continue running Pakistan’s largest healthcare network in the private sector.

Mr. Salim Razzak Tabani, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee of IHHN’s Board of Directors, gave opening remarks. Addressing the attendees, he said, “Today, and the cause for which we are all present here today, is a defining moment for Indus. Seven months earlier the most devastating floods occurred during which over 60-70% of Sindh was left submerged. This has created a very challenging time for the people and country as a whole. During this time, we are given a command from Allah (SWT): when difficulty and pain arrives, we must lift our hands in dua and give charity with open hearts to help those in need. Today we stand before you once again, asking for your support in making Indus’s Ramazan Campaign 2023 a beacon of hope for countless patients in need by spreading our message to donors and championing our cause.” Mr. Tabani went on to express his heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Sindh which has stood with IHHN since the beginning and has committed to covering 35% of IHHN’s cost in the coming year.

Mr. Syed Mashhood Rizvi, Chief of Staff to the President, Executive Director, Communication and Resource Development, IHHN, explained how IHHN is the country’s need of the hour, comprising fifteen hospitals, four regional blood centers, four physical rehabilitation clinics, thirty-six primary care sites, and multiple public health initiatives across Pakistan. In addition to providing medical care, IHHN is actively filling Pakistan’s healthcare gaps through the Indus University of Health Sciences and Indus Research Center.

He went on to brief the guests on the dire situation currently gripping Pakistan’s healthcare sector. With the high population growth and current economic decline, the demand for accessible quality healthcare is skyrocketing, unable to be met by the low supply of medical care and competent healthcare professionals.

Currently, more than 400,000 households fall into poverty every year due to health expenditures. The inaccessibility of treatment has resulted in the deaths of more than 460,000 children under the age of five due to cancer, malnutrition & infectious diseases, and over 200,000 women dying from pregnancy complications & childbirth. The tragedy is that over 70% of these deaths are preventable with timely and adequate resources. Compounding the hopeless situation is the extremely high cost of average healthcare charges in the country for different healthcare services, all of which fall beyond the earning capacity of most of the population.

Speaking on IHHN’s immense footprint, Mr. Rizvi said, “In 15 years since its inception, IHHN has created a nationwide healthcare system built on hope, sincerity, and love for humanity, and is dedicated to serving the most vulnerable, including women, children, and the elderly. Presently the Network is serving free-of-cost holistic quality care to over 500,000 patients across Pakistan. Over 70% of these patients are treated through Zakat.

In the past year, more than 1,200 children have been registered for cancer treatment, 57 children have received a cochlear implant, more than 5,100 neonatal admissions have occurred, and over 12,900 patients have been registered for physical therapy and rehabilitation.” He went on to explain how patient volumes have increased by 4-20% for in-patient, outpatient, emergency, and diagnostic services, and gave an overview of IHHN’s nationwide emergency relief response during the devastating 2022 floods.

Elaborating on IHHN’s Ramazan Campaign 2023, Mr. Syed Mashhood Rizvi spoke on the glory of giving in Islam. “IHHN has experienced a 42% increase in patient loads in the last three years and is solely fueled by its donor base. IHHN’s Ramazan target is an ambitious PKR 4 billion, with one-third of the amount being funded through Zakat donations. The sole purpose of these funds is to benefit the underserved and underprivileged communities of Pakistan, which are growing daily in these difficult times. To continue bringing hope to patients in their times of despair, we look to our generous supporters for help.”

Mr. Rizvi went on to introduce its newest initiative, “Meer-e-karwaan Hum Hain” – Pakistan’s largest youth-led Ramazan Campaign, which will include more than 300 schools and universities, and more than 25,000 students and youth across the country.

Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, President, Indus Hospital & Health Network, addressed guests via a video link from his travels; reflecting on IHHN’s journey to becoming a nationwide Network due to the support of media, its remarkable donors, supporters and employees. Most of all, he thanked the Almighty (SWT) for all the success Indus has seen and its positive impact on the lives of countless patients and their families. However, he urged guests to continue supporting Indus, particularly given the current challenging financial times in Pakistan.

At the end of the ceremony, a mass prayer was held for the campaign’s success.