Supporters of the Hashim Welfare Hospital have been updated on the progress of the appeal during this years holy month of Ramadan.

Leaflets setting out the progress made since the foundation stone was laid in 1999 and the first patient seen in 2003 show that there has been steady progress.   The eye department was opened in October 2003, a clinical laboratory in March 2005 and, with the assistance of the World Health Organisation, a dental department in March 2006.   Hospital staff also played a crucial role in helping victims of the October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.

Founder and Chairman of the Appeal, Urological Surgeon Dr Idrees Awan comments: “Over £45,000 was donated to the appeal in 2006 of which just under half was spent on the hospital and the rest held in reserve for Phase 2 of our plans for which we need a total of £150,000.  Staff at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals in Surrey have helped with the design of the second stage and all we need now is money to enable us to start the building.”

The Plans for Phase 2 include:

·          A purpose built investigation block with x-ray, ultrasound and laboratory facilities;

·          A modern surgical theatre instead of the current temporary eye theatre; and

·          Day wards for patients coming in for eye surgery, kidney stone treatment and dialysis.

Since the hospital opened over 78,000 patients have been treated including 7,000 eye patients and over 500 cataract operations performed.  Following the earthquake in 2005 the Hashim Welfare Hospital Appeal assisted 35,000 earthquake victims and worked in the affected area for 10 months.  Pindi Hashim, the village in rural Pakistan where the hospital is located is about half way between Lahore and Islamabad.

Dr Awan continued: “In addition to building the hospital in Pindi Hashim our Vice President in Pakistan, Dr Ajmal Naqvi has built a small day hospital in the village of Tehsildar Wala, about 100 miles from Pindi Hashim.   Dr Clive Grundy and I were pleased to be able to see Dr Naqvi recently and hear about the progress of the both the hospital in Pindi Hashim and the new service at Tehsildar Wala, where we will be helping to set up medical services similar to those at Pindi Hashim.”

“During the blessed month of Ramadan we are pleased to receive all ‘Zakat’ donations.   Unbelievably 25p – the price of a cupcake - pays for four outpatient visits.   Just £30 can give someone their sight back.   £1,000 pays for a bed for the hospital and £5,000 pays for an entire room.   During 2007 we have received our largest donation to date - £5,000 from one individual donor.”

The Hashim Welfare Hospital Appeal was formally affiliated to Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust in 2005 and Consultant Microbiologist Dr Clive Grundy is a professional adviser to the Hospital appeal.     Staff from the hospitals providetechnical support and medical expertise to the development and services of the Hashim Welfare Hospital.     Chief Executive at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals Glenn Douglas comments: “Our association with the Hashim Welfare Hospital benefits both organisations.   At little or no cost our staff can assist with the development of a project which brings modern healthcare to a very poor area of the world.   We are proud to be associated with this important development and well respected charity.”

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.