In Pakistan, where healthcare is a privilege rather than a basic right, access to advanced treatments is limited owing to financial costs and lack of availability. The estimated burden of kidney, urinary bladder and liver diseases is extremely high, constituting about 40% of all the ailments which may be an under estimate. Locally published data suggests a very high incidence of hepatitis, kidney, bladder, prostate and liver cancer, stone disease and end stage kidney and liver disease in Pakistan. According to the latest report by WHO, in Pakistan liver disease is the 11th leading cause of deaths, with kidney diseases on number 12. The menace of Hepatitis B and C is the leading cause of liver failure and liver cancer. About 10 million people are presumed to be infected with Hepatitis C and according to WHO, Pakistan has the second highest prevalence of Hepatitis C after Egypt. Over 1.2 million patients need liver transplant in the country and 300,000 are in dire need of liver transplant. The cost of a liver transplant is Rs. 55 million in the country and double the amount is spent for treatment abroad. Now to pay for such an expensive treatment is not possible for poor, or even middle class. Bladder cancer is the 3rd leading cancer, especially in industrialized towns of Punjab, KPK and Karachi secondary to chemical pollution and lack of enforcement of environmental protection policy.
Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute & Research Center is going to be the first of its kind specialized hospital that aims to counter the huge burden of kidney and liver diseases in Pakistan by providing free of cost, state of the art treatment of liver & kidney diseases including transplantation. A public-private partnership, this visionary project is not the preserve of a few individuals; it is YOUR project- A project of the people of Pakistan. This initiative will not see the light of day, if it does not have the support and ownership of all of us. So please come forward and become part of this noble project by contributing in any way you can. Whether you donate a dollar or a fortune, a simple gesture can make a big difference.