Cancer Unit Diagnostics Centre (Phase 1):

Equipment:

The total cost of equipment is 27,500 GBP.

This allows the department to: -

1. Fix a mammogram machine already in possession (2000 GBP),
2. Purchase an ultrasound machine (8000 GBP)
3. Purchase an endoscope (8000 GBP).
4. Purchase a colposcopy unit (5000 GBP)
5. Purchase ward furnishings, 3 computers and essential microscopes. (4500 GBP)

The hospital already has a CT scanner and is currently liaising with local health care providers to procure MRI scans at their sites when needed.

Human Resources: For the first year we require funding for the salary of 1 Senior Registrar, 1 Medical Officer, 1 nurse, 1 health care assistant and 1 ward administrator. The combined salaries for this first year amounts to 21,000 GBP.

Funds raised so far: We currently have 30,000 USD (22,000 GBP) pledged and are looking for an additional 26,500 GBP (36,000 USD, 50,000 AUD) to help complete phase 1 of the project.

Building: RMU has kindly provided two sizeable rooms free of charge to act as the diagnosis and triage centre.

Funds appeal:

• Our fund-raising appeal is live
• We will be holding seminars and webinars to present and answer any questions.
• Your support in terms of skills, money, or any other means, is welcome.

This project is run by volunteers who are senior professionals in medicine in Pakistan and abroad. 100% of the costs will go towards treatments of needy and poor patients. Funding transparency and audit will be ensured at every step.

FAQS

1. Who are the leadership team behind the project?

The team is led by Professor Muhammad Umar, Chief Patron of the centre and Vice Chancellor of Rawalpindi Medical University.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Muhammad-Umar-46

Other members of the team are Dr Mahmood Alam, an experienced oncologist based in Melbourne, Australia, Dr Shazia Zafar, also an experienced oncologist, based in Florida, USA and Dr Sohail Aman, attending (Consultant) Internal medicine physician based in Alabama, USA.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mahmood-Alam

https://health.usnews.com/doctors/shazia-zafar-627312

https://health.usnews.com/doctors/sohail-aman-289083

Finally, Dr Usman Sheikh, a GP trainee based in London, UK, who’s hoping, with his family, to fundraise for this mission as a perpetual charity for his late mother Tahseen Sheikh, who passed away from cancer herself.

2. Who will be running and overseeing the project on a day-to-day basis?

Professor Umar will have ultimate responsibility for the screening and triage centre. The centre itself will be overseen by the Medical Superintendent of Holy Family Hospital, and will employ a senior registrar, nurse, health care assistant and ward administrator, who will run the department on a daily basis.

3. Can I trust the money donated will be securely delivered?

The RMU Cancer care centre team are working in partnership with SKT Welfare, a UK registered charity with a strict 100% donation policy.

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1153735

The money raised on this platform will be ring-fenced solely for the use of the cancer centre. But don’t forget to use gift aid, by which the UK government will increase every donation by 25%. For those with a Pakistani bank account to make a direct transfer, please get in touch with us.

 4. Is this project Zakat eligible?

Due to the nature of the government hospital and cancer centre, treating all those who walk through their doors irrespective of faiths, this project is not currently Zakat eligible – but is perfect for Sadaqah, a great perpetual charity for all in whose name it is donated.

5. If this is a pilot does that mean the project is only for a limited period?

Sustainability is key. Our priority is to create and develop the diagnosis and triage centre first, before moving on to Phase 2, hopefully by March 2023, when the centre can begin to offer chemotherapy its patients at Holy Family Hospital.

The department anticipates it will see 50-60 patients a day for the calendar year from March 2022. This means that your donations will help to support the assessment and care of up to 20,000 patients!

6. With so many people walking through the doors will they all have to pay for treatment?

Cancer care is notoriously expensive and while the ultimate aim is to provide care free of charge, it is envisaged initially that patients will have to bear some cost for screening and follow-up. However, we await confirmation of a sehulat card (or equivalent) that may help subsidise some of the cost of specialised treatment.

We promise that receipts for all equipment raised for the Centre will be published, and the pictures posted on this website.