Report on the Activities of Child Aid Association for 2010-2011
It is with humility that I present to the general body the annual report of activities of our Association. I am grateful to the members of executive committee of the Child Aid Association for their whole-hearted support in the discharge of my duties.
An important milestone that was crossed was 12th foundation day of oncology unit which was celebrated on 30th April 2011. As per our usual practice, a party was hosted for 100 patients, and the parents; some have been discharged and others under-treatment. A magic show at the start was enjoyed by the participants. Later they were served with lunch provided through the courtesy of Mr. Iqbal Rizvi of Mr. Burger of Clifton free of charge. At the formal ceremony Haji Masood Parekh, President of Memon Foundation, was the guest of honour. In his address he appreciated the work of Association and gave words of encouragement to the parents of patients. He also promised to support Child Aid Association in its activities. Giving welcome address the president of Child Aid Association highlighted the activities of CAA and Oncology unit and informed the audience about the need for new space for oncology unit as it had become over-crowded. For this reason Bone Marrow Transplant procedure could not be started. Problem of accommodation for long stay of attendants and the patients coming from outside Karachi need to be solved. They are unable to pay for the cost of boarding and lodging outside the hospital. At the end, gifts donated by Mr. Shabbir Sultan Muhammad of Atlas Steel & Engineering Co. were given to the children.
Another achievement during this period was the establishment of TPN Unit at NICH at the cost of one million rupees. The unit will prepare and provide intravenous nutrition to underprivileged patients under treatment at NICH. This unit will be first in public sector hospital in Karachi. Previously TPN prescriptions were procured from outside at a great cost. We are grateful to M/s Infaq Foundation and Nausserwanjee Trust for their generous financial support to cover the cost of project. We are grateful to Prof. Syed Jamal Raza, Director NICH, for providing accommodation for the unit. We are also thankful to M/s. Creator Group of Companies for their technical support in planning and installation of equipment and free of cost maintenance for one year. Important advice was also given by Mr. Lateef Sheikh of Aga Khan University Hospital about feasibility and pertinent requirements for this project. Our executive members Dr. Soofia Ahmed and Dr. Fareeduddin did spade work for this project.
The executive committee made great efforts during the period of report for fund raising, particularly during the holy month of Ramazan. A well planned campaign was launched through selective print media and road-side hoardings with the support from BBCL for production of material and display. We are grateful to Mr. Pervez Iqbal, one of our patrons, for that generosity. However, due to floods the response was fifty percent less than previous year. Through the efforts of Mr. Ateeq ur Rehman Chairman CSR committee of KCCI, our office bearers were invited on a number of occasions for introducing our Association to senior executives and businessmen for enlisting their support.
Management of the Hotel Regent Plaza, Karachi, have continued to provide lunches and dinners to the admitted patients of Oncology unit free of charge. We thank Mr. Zubair Baweja, CEO of Regent Palaza, and Prof. K.A. Shakoor, member executive committee, who made this arrangement possible. We are also thankful to Mr. Adanwala and Dr. Noor Mohammad, DHO Turbat, Balochistan, for their generous donation of Milk and Dates for nutritional support to patients. In addition other food items and nutritional products were donated by other donors. We are in particular grateful to Mr. Irfan Ghani and Mr. Sikandar Ali for their financial support for the cancer patients.
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The 32nd Foundation day of CAA was celebrated on 27th July 2010. Mrs. Zubaida Tariq was guest of honour and paid a visit to the Oncology Unit. Apart from supporting the children suffering from cancer, our association continued to provide free medicines, lab investigations and other diagnostic facilities like CT scan, MRI to other patients of NICH on the recommendation of consultants. We also provided funds for the repair of out of order equipments at NICH, MRI and Ultrasound machines. Our molecular lab also provided facility of DNA extraction for research purpose.
Child Aid Association also provided financial support to the doctors working in paediatric cardiology department of NICVD. Our Vice President Mr. Tariq Shafi helped to raise the needed finances especially for this purpose.
Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry kindly allotted a stall without charge at the My Karachi exhibition, held at Expo Centre Karachi in 2010. A large number of visitors came to our stall and were informed about menace of pan, gutka and supari and our fight against cancer.
At oncology unit during the one year period of this report, 413 new cases were registered, coming from all over Pakistan. Another 2145 patients continued their under treatment from previous year. 930 patients who were off treatment came for follow up. Despite shortage of staff these patients were well-managed. Staff of oncology, cytogenetic and molecular lab also provided services with dedication. We are thankful to our honorary consultants Prof. Khalid Zafar Hashmi, Prof. Kazi Abdul Shakoor and Prof. Col. Iftikhar Abidi. Under their supervision, the standard of work in the labs is at par with international standards.
During the summer holidays students of Mama Parsi and Beaconhouse School System did voluntary work at oncology unit. Their voluntary work included interaction with patients and helping various sections of oncology unit. They were given a certificate at the end of their term.
The association continued the training program of nurses and paramedical staff in oncology. An American voluntary organization showed keen interest in our training program.
We are thankful to FBR for grant of exemption certificates from withholding tax and on donations made by cross cheques.
We are also thankful for M/s. Infaq Foundation, Bank Al-Habib Ltd., Faysal Bank Ltd. and Habib Bank Limited for their financial support to our association.
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Dr. Salman Burney
Hon. General Secretary
