UK based chairman and surgeon visiting hospital in February

Charitable giving during Ramadan in October 2006 has raised more than £30,000 for the Hashim Welfare Hospital, a UKand Pakistan based charity, which provides hospital and community health services in Pindi Hashim, Kharian, Pakistan.  The Hospital is affiliated with Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust in England and covers Woking, Surrey where over half the money was raised.   A significant donation came from the Blackburn area.   Founder and Chairman of theHashim Welfare Hospital, Dr Idrees Awan will be using his holiday to visit the project from 15th February to 7th March 2007.

Speaking about the appeal Dr Awan commented: “The support by the local and wider community across the UK has been wonderful.    This £30,000 is a significant step towards Phase 2 of the hospital and will allow us to start work on developing more services for patients.   I am looking forward to discussing with colleagues in Pakistan how we can now move forward to make Phase 2 of our hospital a reality.”

Phase 2 of the Hashim Welfare Hospital includes X-ray and pathology services and will cost around £150,000 when finished.   Further phases provide for a dedicated theatre block for cataract and kidney stone operations, a day ward and an accommodation and office block.   The Hospital opened in June 2003 and has successful Eye and Dental departments and a child vaccination programme.

Since the hospital opened in 2003 it has treated 28,000 patients.    Further development work was delayed following the major 2005 earthquake in Pakistan when the Hashim Welfare Organisation was invited to take over the repair and running of four rural hospitals, treating 35,000 patients, and undertook relief work at Bagrool Camp.   At Bagrool the charity provided tents, blankets, quilts, sleeping bags, floor mats, metal sheets, food packs, children’s clothes and emergency cash to the victims of the earthquake.  The organisation has recently handed the rural hospitals back to local government control.

Anyone wishing to donate money to the appeal can do so by visiting www.hashimwelfare.org.uk or by contacting the UKappeal Treasurer, Mr Sajid Mahmood on 01483-762774 or 07887-851040.