The Chairman of the Patients’ Aid Foundation, Mr. Zahid Bashir, has been awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honours for public service in Pakistan. He was given the award by President Mamnoon Hussain at an event held at the Presidency Palace on Friday the 23rd of March.
Mr Bashir has been at the helm of the organization since its foundation in 1990. During his time in this role, he has raised a very substantial amount for public healthcare. The organization’s Vice-Chairman, Mr Mushtaq Chhapra, received the same award last year.
Patients’ Aid Foundation is one of Pakistan’s leading healthcare organizations supporting 1.2 million patients a year, who receive treatment at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi free-of-cost. It raises private philanthropic donations for the public health sector, while being responsible for the running and maintenance of facilities such as the Blood Bank, the Neurotrauma, Radiology, Oncology, Ophthalmology and several others. Patients’ Aid Foundation has also invested in and manages the CyberKnife (Advanced Robotic Cancer Treatment), PET Scan, MRI, Mammography and other similar health facilities. Patients’ Aid Foundation is also funding the building of many new facilities at Jinnah, including the New OPD & Surgical Complex, and Jinnah Food Complex.
Mr. Bashir, commented on this occasion that he was “honoured, yet humbled” by the award and that this was testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff and the contributions of the donors that he, and Patients’ Aid Foundation, were being recognized in this way.
Dr. Seemin Jamali, Executive Director (JPMC) and Dr. Tariq Mahmood, Head of the Radiology Department and CyberKnife cancer treatment unit were also awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for their services to the field of medicine and public service on this auspicious occasion. Dr. Jamali served as the head of the emergency department at the hospital before being promoted to the executive post.