A day after the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust’s No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for a fundraising event was revoked, President Dr. Arif Alvi has urged the cancellation of the order, expressing concerns about its impact on the construction of a charitable hospital. The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration withdrew the NOC without providing a specific reason for the decision.
Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital is a world recognized, state of the art facility that has been providing cutting edge top of the line treatments for poor cancer patients since its inception. Having been personally involved in preventing & treating oral cancer all my life and Mrs…
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) December 29, 2023
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A senior official from Shaukat Khanum Hospital confirmed the withdrawal of the NOC by the Additional District Magistrate of ICT. President Alvi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his worries, stating that halting the fundraising efforts could lead to delays in constructing the hospital in the country’s largest port city, making numerous cancer patients vulnerable.
President Alvi likened the decision to “cutting off one’s nose to spite the face” and highlighted the deficiency in curative healthcare in Pakistan. He emphasized the necessity of promoting private philanthropy, particularly praising the commendable efforts of SKMH. Alvi underscored the global recognition of Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital as a state-of-the-art facility providing advanced treatments for underprivileged cancer patients.
Referring to his personal experiences, President Alvi mentioned his lifelong commitment to preventing and treating oral cancer, while also acknowledging First Lady Samina Alvi’s active role in spreading awareness about early breast cancer diagnosis.
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In conclusion, President Alvi emphasized the substantial cancer burden in Pakistan and the crucial role that institutions like Shaukat Khanum Hospital play in addressing this healthcare challenge. He stressed the need for the cancellation reversal, stating, “Pakistan is seriously lacking in curative healthcare. All private philanthropy, especially this outstanding initiative by SKMH, must be encouraged.”