I was born and raised in a little-known and lesser-trusted rural Pakistani village. The connection I feel to my community is something anyone can understand, but the conditions that they live in are shared only by some of the world’s poorest; this has been no more evident than in the lack of access to proper healthcare. With a passion for service instilled in me at a young age and cultivated still today, I have embarked on a journey to change lives in the community that shaped mine.
MISSION
The gap between the state of healthcare in developed countries and developing countries is vast, and continues to grow due to poverty, lack of education, and lack of access. Most villagers are unable to afford basic healthcare, let alone the level of healthcare that is available in larger cities, making many minor first-world ailments catastrophic. It is my humble hope that building and outfitting a hospital in my village will spark a transformation in the lives of those disadvantaged by chance. I bought land, built a hospital for my village and the surrounding villages, and achieved the preliminary goal of erecting a location for local healthcare. My next goal is to equip it with the medical equipment that my community deserves.
HOSPITAL BUILDING
The hospital in Shergarh/Gujrat began as a vague, hopeful vision, but after 2 years of perseverance, this vision has manifested itself in what now stands as a beacon of progress for my community. From across the world I facilitated the acquisition of land, directed the activities of contractors, managed a team of trusted partners, and can now proudly say that the hospital is built and open for emergency care and community aid and education. As stirring as it has been to see the hospital built, a functioning structure is just a checkpoint along the way to the bigger goal of bringing true healthcare services and education to the community.
COMMUNITY AID SERVICES
1. Ambulance: Shergarh Ambulance Services is fully functional, available for all villages in the area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As we receive aid, we are hoping to expand our ambulance fleet and the services it offers. At the moment, one ambulance serves about 15 villages; the goal is to have at least one ambulance per village.
2. Computer Training: With the help of Mahmud Haq, Chairman and CEO of MTBC, we have established a computer coaching center for women and children. Limited by resources but not deterred, four classes have graduated. We hope to acquire additional computers and enroll more students.
3. Camps:
Children’s Care Camp: Thanks to the services of Adnan Mahmud and Doctor Asma from Ireland, who is a female health professional, 275 patients benefited from free information sessions and accompanying open clinics. Sincere thanks go to Mr. Safdar, Saleem, and Khalid Chaudhry for supporting the camp at their home.
Eye Camp: With the gracious help of Mr. Khalid Butt, over 550 patients were seen during last year’s free Eye Camp. A team of doctors and staff from Al-Ahsan Welfare Eye Hospital in Lahore facilitated services that were sponsored by us at Gujrat Welfare Services. Approximately 62 patients had Eye surgery, and many received high-quality lenses at no cost to patients.
Gynecology Camp: Dr. Tahira, a gynecologist, and another doctor facilitated the camp. Many young girls find themselves unable to discuss women’s health issues with anybody at home, leaving potential issues unseen and untreated. This is a truly transformative experience for those involved.
General Medical Camp: Dr. Adnan brought a kidney specialist, ENT doctor, and general physician and held an open clinic. Many people benefited from clinical visits at no cost to the patient.
All of these camps, including the eye lens replacement surgeries, were provided free to patients, as the hospital – Gujrat Welfare Society – paid for all expenses.
WHAT IS NEXT
The goals of this project – advancing our equipment, increasing access to education, and continuing to offer camps and clinic sessions – are ambitious, but achievable. I had to draw a portion of my retirement funds and face a financial penalty as a result, but with my sacrifices, along with those of countless others, the hospital building is ready and the Shergarh Medical Clinic is open and fully functional, with nurses providing blood sugar, blood pressure, and pregnancy checks, along with basic healthcare services and even doctor consultations when needed, all at no cost.
We would like to equip the hospital with operation theater equipment and instruments including ultrasound machine and mammogram machine. We would like to hold our camps, as costly as they may be, again. Many needy patients are waiting for these services to be available on a regular basis. But nothing is accomplished alone. My efforts have been embraced and furthered by many others in the local and global community. We are in the middle of a transformative moment in my village’s history, one in which we can rewrite the possible quality of life for many who know no luxury. With your help we can prove, yet again, community’s limitless power to overcome even the greatest obstacles.
** Gujrat Welfare Society is a legally registered non-profit and your donations are eligible to be claimed as a tax deduction. Please contact me by clicking the envelope icon next to my name at the top of the page for the tax exempt number. **
MISSION
The gap between the state of healthcare in developed countries and developing countries is vast, and continues to grow due to poverty, lack of education, and lack of access. Most villagers are unable to afford basic healthcare, let alone the level of healthcare that is available in larger cities, making many minor first-world ailments catastrophic. It is my humble hope that building and outfitting a hospital in my village will spark a transformation in the lives of those disadvantaged by chance. I bought land, built a hospital for my village and the surrounding villages, and achieved the preliminary goal of erecting a location for local healthcare. My next goal is to equip it with the medical equipment that my community deserves.
HOSPITAL BUILDING
The hospital in Shergarh/Gujrat began as a vague, hopeful vision, but after 2 years of perseverance, this vision has manifested itself in what now stands as a beacon of progress for my community. From across the world I facilitated the acquisition of land, directed the activities of contractors, managed a team of trusted partners, and can now proudly say that the hospital is built and open for emergency care and community aid and education. As stirring as it has been to see the hospital built, a functioning structure is just a checkpoint along the way to the bigger goal of bringing true healthcare services and education to the community.
COMMUNITY AID SERVICES
1. Ambulance: Shergarh Ambulance Services is fully functional, available for all villages in the area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As we receive aid, we are hoping to expand our ambulance fleet and the services it offers. At the moment, one ambulance serves about 15 villages; the goal is to have at least one ambulance per village.
2. Computer Training: With the help of Mahmud Haq, Chairman and CEO of MTBC, we have established a computer coaching center for women and children. Limited by resources but not deterred, four classes have graduated. We hope to acquire additional computers and enroll more students.
3. Camps:
Children’s Care Camp: Thanks to the services of Adnan Mahmud and Doctor Asma from Ireland, who is a female health professional, 275 patients benefited from free information sessions and accompanying open clinics. Sincere thanks go to Mr. Safdar, Saleem, and Khalid Chaudhry for supporting the camp at their home.
Eye Camp: With the gracious help of Mr. Khalid Butt, over 550 patients were seen during last year’s free Eye Camp. A team of doctors and staff from Al-Ahsan Welfare Eye Hospital in Lahore facilitated services that were sponsored by us at Gujrat Welfare Services. Approximately 62 patients had Eye surgery, and many received high-quality lenses at no cost to patients.
Gynecology Camp: Dr. Tahira, a gynecologist, and another doctor facilitated the camp. Many young girls find themselves unable to discuss women’s health issues with anybody at home, leaving potential issues unseen and untreated. This is a truly transformative experience for those involved.
General Medical Camp: Dr. Adnan brought a kidney specialist, ENT doctor, and general physician and held an open clinic. Many people benefited from clinical visits at no cost to the patient.
All of these camps, including the eye lens replacement surgeries, were provided free to patients, as the hospital – Gujrat Welfare Society – paid for all expenses.
WHAT IS NEXT
The goals of this project – advancing our equipment, increasing access to education, and continuing to offer camps and clinic sessions – are ambitious, but achievable. I had to draw a portion of my retirement funds and face a financial penalty as a result, but with my sacrifices, along with those of countless others, the hospital building is ready and the Shergarh Medical Clinic is open and fully functional, with nurses providing blood sugar, blood pressure, and pregnancy checks, along with basic healthcare services and even doctor consultations when needed, all at no cost.
We would like to equip the hospital with operation theater equipment and instruments including ultrasound machine and mammogram machine. We would like to hold our camps, as costly as they may be, again. Many needy patients are waiting for these services to be available on a regular basis. But nothing is accomplished alone. My efforts have been embraced and furthered by many others in the local and global community. We are in the middle of a transformative moment in my village’s history, one in which we can rewrite the possible quality of life for many who know no luxury. With your help we can prove, yet again, community’s limitless power to overcome even the greatest obstacles.
** Gujrat Welfare Society is a legally registered non-profit and your donations are eligible to be claimed as a tax deduction. Please contact me by clicking the envelope icon next to my name at the top of the page for the tax exempt number. **