Recent reports show that the spread of cancer has accelerated during the past five to six years in our country. While the government is doing whatever it can to help out the patients of cancer, there is a definite need for increased activity in this sphere. Dr. Saira Khan and her team of doctors, nurses and volunteers are trying to do their utmost to reduce the pain and misery of the people who are afflicted with this agonizing disease.
Cancer is a disease which involves excessive and prolonged suffering. People suffering from terminal cancer have no hope, their life being nothing more than an unlimited ordeal. The family members of these patients are totally unequipped to taken on the responsibility of caring for these patients, along with bearing the financial staring which their treatment puts them under. Almost all the family members are forced into going out to work to sustain the expense of the treatment. Out of sheer necessity, the patient is left without an attendant to look after his/her needs.
Due to their prolonged suffering, cancer patients need the strength of another human being to help them endure their plight. Also, patients who suffering from terminal cancer and who cannot be further helped by administering medicine, seem to be taking up a bed in the hospital; a bed which can be given to some other patient who still has the chance of surviving. Where does that cancer patient go, who is still very much dependent on the care and help of others?
Rahatkada, a project of the Cancer Division of the Medical Aid Foundation is the first extensive nursing facility for cancer patients in Pakistan. Having the capacity to accommodate 25 patients. Rahatkada not only tends to the needs of the Patient it also lends a helping hand to assist the family members with any kind of financial support.
The Cancer division, seeing the success of Rahatkadah is looking towards expansion. Their aim is to build another unit which would have the capacity for 100 patients, and also to start the services of a complete mobile unit which can take them to the patient instead of having the patient come to them. According to Dr. Saira khan, the Cancer Division has a lot of volunteers who can go out to far flung areas to visit patients on a regular basis.
Taking into view the condition of our rural, and to a great extent urban lower class and their general ignorance about health care, the commencement of such a service, where medically trained people can go out and explain as well as discuss the problems of these people will be a very beneficial and constructive step in the correct direction.
According to Dr. Khan cancer is on the increase in Pakistan since 87 – 88 people have been coming in from the villages to get treatment. In many cases by the time they get to the doctors they are already beyond help. Women who have a hole in their heart, who are suffering from breast cancer, but are too ashamed to come to a hospital and seek medical aid, need immediate attention. Talking about these patients Dr. Saira khan said ‘we had to show them understand that theirs was a medical problem and needed professional help”.
Now, with the help of this ambulance, which has been donated by the Winford North Rotary Club in England the patients who are located in the far flung areas of the country, and who do not have medical facilities will become accessible to the volunteer force of the Cancer Division. This division can provide them with treatment and consultation which is at present unavailable to them.
The task is far from over and needs the cooperation and support of the entire society to make any worth while impact towards the treatment of the disease. |
