THIS is with reference to the letter ‘SKMH: a question’ (April 26). While we cannot address specific patient-related issues because of the need to maintain patient confidentiality, we do feel it is important to address and clarify the other issues raised by the writer.

All cancer patients visiting Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre are examined and their cases evaluated at our walk-in clinics, which are located in Lahore, Peshawar or Karachi, so as to confirm the nature and stage of the disease. The consultation services provided at the walk-in clinic are free for all. Despite our best efforts, it is not possible for us to accept all patients arriving at our walk-in clinics for treatment and so we prioritise patients for acceptance based on the likelihood of response to treatment, and also upon our own capacity constraints. These constraints are, in the main, to do with physical capacity and availability of appropriately qualified staff.

Based on the limited information provided by the writer, we believe that the patient in question was suffering from a particular malignancy (cancer) which is currently restricted from acceptance into our system.

The restriction applies equally to all patients, that is to say, both financially-supported patients and private patients, due to the non-availability of the required medical expertise at the current time.

Therefore, the question for asking for funds for admission does not arise and the allegation made in the letter is untrue.

The decision to construct Pakistan’s second SKMH was also taken, keeping this in mind. It is illogical to suggest that we should not build another hospital until we have accepted everyone coming to the hospital for treatment. Realistically, this will never happen, given the number of new cancer cases in Pakistan each year, and is precisely the reason why we need more hospitals like Shaukat Khanum in Pakistan.

Khwaja Nazir Ahmed
Sr, Manager Media & PR
SKMCH & RC
Lahore