“It started with a cough followed by headaches and fatigue. I did not pay too much heed to it, I had 6 young children and a husband to look after. But, soon my condition deteriorated so much so that even wrapping a dupatta (scarf) on my head was a struggle. My husband, who worked day and night at construction sites doing odd jobs, took me to the Indus Hospital where I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. I remember holding my husband’s hand and saying ‘I don’t want the treatment.’
I knew it would cost more than 3 lakh rupees (around $4000), which we as a family could not afford at all. At that moment, I felt like a liability. I still very vividly remember the relief we felt when my husband asked ‘doctor is there any way we can pay it in installments and we were told that my entire treatment would be free. We did not believe it, but they were true to their word. My treatment was absolutely free. And if I ever missed an appointment, the staff would follow up with me. It is truly only because of them that I have survived this illness. The Indus Hospital is a blessing for poor people like us.”- Shamim Faiz, a 44-year-old lady from Bhong, Southern Punjab, Pakistan.
This World Health Day, support Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) in creating a fairer and healthier world. Thousands of people in Pakistan do not have access to healthcare facilities. Thousand more suffer from sickness and disease and are left untreated. At Indus Hospital & Health Network we believe in healthcare equality, which is why we are providing quality healthcare free of cost to the most vulnerable population of Pakistan.
