LAHORE: Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Peer Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, visited the Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital, INMOL (Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Lahore), to review the welfare initiatives being provided to deserving cancer patients under the Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM).
A Vision for Practical Welfare
Upon his arrival, the Federal Minister was received by Dr. Shakeel Abbas Roofi, Member Science of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), and Dr. Amira Shami, Director of INMOL.
During his address, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah lauded the services of INMOL and the wider network of PAEC hospitals, stating that they play a commendable role in serving humanity.
“Today’s visit reflects the government’s vision where poverty alleviation is not just a slogan, but a practical mission,” the Minister remarked.
Key Reforms and Financial Relief
The Federal Minister shared significant updates regarding recent reforms in the Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, designed to provide substantial relief to those in need:
Increased Aid Limit: The ceiling for individual medical assistance has been raised from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 1.5 million.
Endowment, Not Charity: He clarified that PBM assistance is neither Zakat nor charity, but a formal Endowment Fund established by the Federal Government.
Budget Expansion: He pledged that the scope of social safety programs would be further expanded in the coming years through increased budgetary allocations.
He further directed the management to streamline and simplify the fund disbursement process to ensure that patients—particularly those requiring urgent chemotherapy—receive timely treatment without bureaucratic delays.
PAEC: A Pillar of Healthcare
Dr. Shakeel Abbas Roofi briefed the Minister on the impact of PBM support, noting that PAEC operates 21 cancer hospitals across Pakistan, treating approximately 80% of the country’s cancer patients.
He highlighted a major international milestone:
“It is a matter of great pride that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recently designated AECH INMOL as its Collaborating Center for the region.”
Dr. Roofi emphasized that the network, stretching from Gilgit to Karachi, has been providing life-saving diagnostic and therapeutic facilities for over six decades.
Future Strategy: PBM and Health Card
Director INMOL, Dr. Amira Shami, provided a detailed presentation on the hospital’s national and international contributions. She observed that the availability of the Health Card has led to a slight decrease in the number of patients seeking PBM assistance.
In response, the Federal Minister directed the authorities to draft actionable proposals to make the PBM process as accessible and efficient as the Health Card, ensuring more patients are encouraged to utilize this facility.
Direct Interaction with Patients
Following the briefing, the Minister inspected various facilities and interacted directly with patients receiving treatment through PBM funds. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to ensure that the most vulnerable segments of society have access to high-quality medical care and a robust social safety net.