ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday said his objective was to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state on the model of Riyasat-i-Madina.

Speaking at a fundraiser for Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Mr Khan said the best welfare states were the Scandinavian countries which were now prosperous and peaceful because of the policies for the benefit of humanity.

He said cancer was a different disease due to two reasons: first, patient of cancer had the fear of death and second its treatment was expensive, adding that cancer had a long treatment and the patient had to undergo regular check-ups.

Mr Khan said more hospitals were needed in Pakistan to treat patients of cancer.

“About 40 years ago, I thought of establishing the cancer hospital and despite difficulties accomplished the task,” the prime minister said, adding that if cancer was detected early, the disease could be treated.

He appreciated the nation for coming together to build and run Shaukat Khanum Hospital.

He said Pakistanis were ahead of other nations when it came to giving charity. It was mandatory for the Muslims to give Zakat and the practice gave an opportunity to help poor people, he noted.

He said Pakistani nation had given Rs63 billion as charity for treatment of cancer patients in the Shaukat Khanum Hospital.

“We will fulfill our promise to the nation that 70pc of the patients in the hospital will be treated freely,” PM Khan said.

He said his government introduced health insurance and under the health insurance programme, family members could get treatment from any hospital, including in the private sector.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2022