The federal government today increased the individual medical assistance for underprivileged patients to Rs 1.5 million and issued directives to make the disbursement of funds a “hassle-free” process, it was revealed during a high-level visit to a leading cancer treatment facility on Thursday. Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety (PAand SS), Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, made the announcements while reviewing welfare initiatives at the Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital (AECH) NORI.
During his engagement at the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) run institution, the minister inspected services supported by Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) and interacted directly with beneficiaries to get firsthand feedback on the support mechanisms.
Mr Shah stated the visit was in line with the Prime Minister”s vision for poverty alleviation, describing it as a “mission” for the government. He reiterated that the reach of PBM and other social safety programmes would be expanded through increased budgetary allocations in the coming years to benefit more deserving individuals.
The minister highlighted that since 2008, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal has provided approximately Rs 3.4 billion to AECH NORI, which has financed the treatment of nearly twenty-nine thousand patients. For the current fiscal year, financial assistance of around Rs 226 million has already been provided to 1,008 patients.
He also clarified a key policy point, stating, “One important point needs clarification that the money given to patients through PBM is neither Zakat nor Charity, it is rather endowment fund granted by the Federal Government.”
Mr Shah urged the hospital administration to refer a maximum number of eligible cases to PBM for treatment financing. He further emphasised a need for a national shift in focus towards preventative measures, noting, “What we are currently practicing in Pakistan is not healthcare but patient care because healthcare means taking care of people before they fall ill.”
Earlier, senior officials including PAEC”s Member (Science), Dr. Shakeel Abbas Rofi, briefed the ministerial delegation on the patient care services and the positive impact of PBM”s financial support. Dr. Humera Mahmood, Director of AECH NORI, gave a presentation highlighting the hospital”s role, including its 2023 designation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a “Rays of Hope Anchor Centre”.
Concluding his visit, the Federal Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring vulnerable segments of society have access to quality healthcare and social protection, particularly those battling life-threatening diseases.