Managing Director Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) Senator Captain (retd) Shaheen Khalid Butt told the World Health Organization (WHO) Deputy Representative in Pakistan Ms Ellen on Thursday that 108217 cancer patients have been supported for their medical treatment by PBM since year 2008, disbursing Rs13.946 billion.

Ms Ellen met with the PBM Managing Director here at the PBM Head Office. They discussed to explore the horizons of possible collaborative measures in order to improve the treatment access to the children with cancers.

WHO consultant and pediatric oncologist Dr Sumbal Saeed, Dr Saadia Shahzad and Director IT Kashif Nadeem from PBM were also present on the occasion.

Highlighting the initiatives for the treatment of poor patients, Managing Director PBM enlightened the participants that PBM spends most of its budget for the medical treatment of deserving patients suffering from cancer, kidney disease, cardiac issues, thalassemia, hepatitis and for minor or major surgeries.

Underlining the federal government’s commitment for strengthening healthcare infrastructure making the quality treatment accessible to every citizen of the country, he expressed his determination for taking concrete steps in order to support the poor and deserving patients.

Commending the valuable services of WHO, the PBM Managing Director expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Representative WHO for extending cooperation with PBM.

On the occasion, Ms Ellen gave details of WHO Global Initiative for Childhood cancers and its achievements. She commended the PBM’s efforts in providing cancer treatment.

She emphasized the importance to establish facilities for social support (residential, nutritional, emotional and psychosocial) for the family of cancer patients.

Ms Ellen also offered the technical assistance from WHO in identifying the gaps and improving the quality of care for children with cancer.