Interview with Dr Abdul Bari Khan – CEO, The Indus Hospital
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Born in Karachi in 1961, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan has a long history of community service and philanthropy geared towards social upliftment. Dr. Bari completed his medical education from the Dow Medical College in 1986 and received a fellowship in Cardiac Surgery from The College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan in 1995. Passionately driven towards social welfare activities even as a medical student, Dr Bari became an active member of the Dow Medical Patients’ Welfare Association (PWA) and soon its focal person for the PWA blood bank. In 1986, after witnessing a high intensity bomb blast in Saddar that resulted in many casualties, Dr. Bari came to the realization that the casualty section in The Civil Hospital was too small to deal with crisis emergencies and decided to revamp and expand the unit. Joining hands with the Patients’ Welfare Association to increase the unit’s capacity, Dr. Bari’s fund-raising efforts resulted in the establishment of a 36-bedded casualty ward costing Rs36 lacs, opening doors for a greater number of emergency cases. After acquiring formal training in cardiac surgery, Dr. Bari joined the Civil Hospital Karachi as Assistant Professor for Cardiac Surgery, yet no Cardiac Surgery Ward existed in the hospital. Undeterred by the set-back and not one to ever give up, Dr. Bari launched a fund-raising drive under the platform of ‘Friends of Cardiac Surgery’ to establish a Cardiac Surgery Department costing Rs 3.5 crore that would offer Cardiac Surgery ‘Free of Cost’. Since then, thousands of patients have benefited from free surgical treatment at the Cardiac Surgery Department of The Civil Hospital. According to Dr. Bari, who still heads the cardiac surgery department at The Civil Hospital, “Our journey hasn’t stopped; we are constantly looking to improve our services and facilities. For the people who cannot afford expenses of treatments and surgeries Dr. Bari and his medical counterparts and friends have also established the “Rufaydah Foundation, a foundation represented by a group of philanthropists, professionals, businessmen, social workers and intellectuals who endeavor to provide unconditional and uncompromised medical services for the underprivileged sections of society. Fuelled by a passion to serve people unable to afford health-care facilities, in 2007 the determination of Dr. Bari and his philanthropic friends to serve the most vulnerable members of our society planted the seeds of a vision of a state-of-the-art free hospital that culminated in the creation of a state-of-the-art 150 bedded hospital in July 2007 with the joint support of The Ruffaydah Foundation and The Islamic Mission Hospital Trust. Dr Bari’s brainchild The Indus Hospital, is the realization of a dream to provide premium health-care services to people who do not have the means to pay for quality medical care. Managed by a passionate and competent team of local and expatriate professionals working round the clock under Dr. Abdul Bari Khan’s dynamic leadership, the Indus Hospital has treated more than 2.3 million patients since its inception in 2007 and continues to expand and grow. On Nov 18, 2009, the Dow Graduate Association of North America (DOGANA) awarded a Life Time Achievement Award to Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, the CEO of Indus Hospital for his selfless contribution to health and community service. The award was a formal token of appreciation for Dr. Abdul Bari Khan’s unwavering commitment and devotion to serve humanity beyond the call of his professional duties. According to the President DOGANA, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan has set a new benchmark in the health management and welfare activities in Pakistan. Overwhelmed by the appreciation, Dr Bari in his acceptance speech thanked DOGANA for recognizing his contribution towards the health sector of Pakistan. He said that the award also recognizes the generosity of those Pakistanis who extend support to public and private sector hospitals with their philanthropy and donations. DOGANA or Dow Graduate Association of North America is the alumni organization of Dowites residing in North American Continent. Formed in 1981, it has a large current active membership of Dowites. On 23rd March 2015, Dr Abdul Bari Khan was also awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan for services in healthcare. In recognition of his services rendered in the field of medicine, he was awarded an honorary doctorate (PhD) from Hamdard University Pakistan at their convocation 2015. [/box]
PAGE: WHAT IS YOUR GENERAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE IN PAKISTAN?
DR ABDUL BARI KHAN: We can divide the hospital sector majorly in three categories i.e. government, private and not for profit. Although, providing necessary healthcare to all is responsibility of state, however, in our country it lacks in providing quality healthcare.
In a country like Pakistan where majority of the population is living below the poverty line, quality healthcare has become luxury item rather than a basic need. So only the people blessed with strong financial status can get quality treatment from the private sector. That’s where the not-for-profit hospital came in with the money as donation/ zakat from blessed segment of the society and to utilize it for the treatment of their counterparts.
Quality healthcare is being provided in Pakistan, however, at very exorbitant prices, some philanthropic organizations are also playing a pivotal role in filling the gap. The Indus Hospital serves to provide quality healthcare at no price at all in order to pitch in towards serving underserved patients.
PAGE: HOW COULD THE POOR AFFORD EXPENSES OF THE FATAL DISEASES?
DR ABDUL BARI KHAN: The Indus Hospital is absolutely free of cost as we even don’t have cash counters in our hospital. No matter the disease primary or tertiary and how much the expense is incurred, it is catered by The Indus Hospital.
PAGE: WHAT IS BEING DONE BY TIH TO FACILITATE THE POOR?
DR ABDUL BARI KHAN: The Indus Hospital with its vision to please Allah Subḥānahu wa ta’alā aims to delink a person’s health care with his/her financial status. That’s why we at the Indus Hospital provide quality care absolutely free of cost without any discrimination. So far families of more than 3 million patients have benefited from The Indus Hospital.
PAGE: KINDLY TELL US ABOUT THE DONATION YOU RECEIVE, EXPANSION AT TIH, AND IN WHICH OTHER CITIES OF PAKISTAN WHERE TIH SERVING THE NATION?
DR ABDUL BARI KHAN: Majority of the donation we received so far is from Pakistan and out of that almost 80% is from Karachi. Being a Shariah-complaint hospital we divide our donations as follows.
(i)Zakat is used for treatment of patients who are eligible for zakat. This is analyzed by our Patient Welfare Department at TIH where Shariah scholars do the assessment and decide
(ii) Donationis also used for treatment of patients who are not eligible for zakat. This is analyzed by the Patient Welfare Department at TIH where Shariah scholars do the assessment and decide.
(iii)Sadqajaria If you wish to donate money for the expansion of the hospital, you are welcome to do so, as sadqajaria. These funds will be used for the construction of the hospital/expansion projects.
Keeping in view the staggering rise in the number of patient visits and admission queues at the hospital on a daily basis, The Indus Hospital management realized the need to expand the facility to cater to a larger segment of the society. For this to be made possible, resources needed exponential multiplication so the society’s need for quality healthcare as a basic human right was met. Rigorous brainstorming, consistent efforts and hardcore planning paved way for an expansion plan so the dream to render indiscriminate quality healthcare could come true. The expansion project was divided into three phases:
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1st phase
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2nd phase
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3rd phase
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It commenced in 2014 and to be completed in 2018, will transform the current 150-bed facility to one with 996 beds
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will be completed in 2021, taking the facility to1427 Beds
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will mark the completion of the project in 2024, taking the entire facility to 1800+
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After the successful completion of our aimed expansion project following will be the impact generated out of it:
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Current
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Post Expansion
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150 beds
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1800+ beds
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9 bed emergency room
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104 bed emergency room
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1000 out patients visit per day
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5500 out patients visit per day
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30 n-patient admissions per day
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371 patient admissions per day
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The Indus Hospital aims to provide quality care free of cost to everyone. Keeping it’s philosophy in mind it tends to expand Indus Health Network to serve people in need all over Pakistan. We also tend to mobilize overseas Pakistanis to generate funds for The Indus Hospital by establishing our international chapters in UK, USA and UAE. As of now, following are the Indus Hospital’s branches in Pakistan.”
1- TIH Main Korangi Crossing (Head office/Main Branch).
2- Indus Children Cancer Hospital (ICCH), Aisha Manzil, Karachi
3- PIB Dialysis Center, Karachi
4- Shaikh Saeed Memoral Trust, Karachi
5- Muzaffargarh, Punjab
6- Shahbaz Sharif Hospital, Bedian Road, Lahore
7- TIH, Bhong
8- DHQ Badin, Sindh
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INDUS HOSPITAL PROFILE
It was back in 1986 when Karachi was hit by a bomb blast that the city faced the first emergency of its kind, causing the civil hospitals to be inundated with the injured in critical condition and on the brink of death. The hospital was unable to cope with the victims bought in, causing many doctors and hospital staff much distress. This event pushed health industry professionals to band together and establish the PWA, a first in philanthropy in the health sector.
The Indus Hospital officially began operations in the year 2007. It was the country’s first paperless and 100% cashless, state-of-the-art, tertiary care hospital. All medical services including high-end surgical procedures were not only provided indiscriminately to everyone in need, they are rendered absolutely Free of Cost with integrity as well.
The Indus Hospital’s founding was inspired by the teachings of Islam. To give and to help others, to do all we can, and Allah would be our helper and protector; guiding us, aiding us and giving us triumph.
The Hospital is now a banner to rally around for all the people of the nation and the world at large, an effort that enjoins good. We promise to remain steadfast to our call, to provide quality care free of cost to all those in need. We intend to make and keep premium health care a basic human right and not a privilege.
The Indus Hospital’s success thus far has been through a passionate team of individuals within and out of the institution giving their all. We have a means, through this hospital, before us to give the best to everyone; together we hope to reach that end of seeing everyone enjoy the gift of a healthy life. We invite all of you to join us in reaching across Pakistan, raising the standards of living through-out the country.
VISION: Excellence in Healthcare for all to Please Allah Subḥānahu wa ta’alā.
MISSION: To realize its vision The Indus Hospital will:
– Focus on creating an excellence-driven, comprehensive, compassionate free of charge, replicable healthcare system accessible to all.
– Be a not-for-profit entity, managed with the Islamic concept of WAQF and funded through donations and Zakat.
– Adhere to ethical best practices in all aspects of its operations, while following the Shariah and the Law of the Land.
– Empower its employees for their spiritual and professional growth.
– Enhance and build human capacities through quality education and research.
VALUES: Established on the foundation of unshakable faith in Allah Subḥānahu wa ta’alā, and for the sole motivation to please Him
– Responsibility to provide healthcare as the basic human right.
– Excellence in quality of service delivery.
– Indiscrimination in health delivery methods.
– Dignity of patients and employees
– Teamwork in moving forward and achieving milestones.
– Integrity in day to day activities.
– Loyalty and Commitment to self and the Indus Cause.
– Passion to Serve, Bring Smiles and Change Lives AND continue to remain the core values of Team Indus.
Why Indus Hospital: The Indus Hospital is a one of a kind institution in the country. We invite and encourage everyone to join hands in this noble endeavor that provides to those who cannot have. The Indus Hospital has a fully armed and still developing research and teaching wing, training the next generation to provide quality care and developing breakthroughs in medical research to combat increasingly resistant bacterial and viral infections. We stay ahead, taking advantage of technology, to make the venture completely paperless, doing our part to stay green and efficient. The Indus Hospital tackles Pakistan’s health problems with its multi disciplinary staff to provide timely support to the many emergencies that arise daily.
The Hospital comprises of around 20 departments from Ophthalmology, Radiology, Dermatology, Urology, Orthopedics and trauma surgery, Pediatrics, Diabetes care, Dialyses centre, Nutritional services, Gastroenterology, and Nephrology. An outpatient clinic serves to filter patients from OPD to Hospital admittance. We cater to 1000+ outpatients (clinical) patients daily along with 30+ inpatient Hospital admittances. The Hospital is currently in Phase I of its expansion plan, a push that will take us to 996 beds by 2018 and 1800 beds by 2024, becoming the largest Hospital in Pakistan.
WHAT MAKE IT STAND APART ARE ITS UNIQUE FEATURES COMPRISING OF:
– 100% Free of Cost healthcare services
– Indiscriminate provision of healthcare
– Cutting edge health delivery methods.
– Indus Hospital Research Centre – IHRC
– First Centralized Blood Centre-TIHBC
– TB Outreach Program
– International collaborations with globally recognized institutes
OUR CAMPUS INFORMATION:
The Indus Hospital is a one of a kind institution in the country. We invite and encourage everyone to join hands in this noble endeavor that provides to those who cannot have. The Indus Hospital has a fully armed and still developing research and teaching wing, training the next generation to provide quality care and developing breakthroughs in medical research to combat increasingly resistant bacterial and viral infections. We stay ahead, taking advantage of technology, to make the venture completely paperless, doing our part to stay green and efficient. The Indus Hospital tackles Pakistan’s health problems with its multi disciplinary staff to provide timely support to the many emergencies that arise daily.
HOW FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED FOR PATIENT TREATMENT?
The Indus Hospital is a Non Governmental Organization (NGO); we receive funds from myriad of sources. The hospital receives grants from provincial and national government bodies. The Hospital is joined by various Philanthropic initiatives and trusts that support The Indus Hospital’s mission. We organize Fund raisers and events with celebrity guests to further advance our cause.
The Patient Welfare Department at TIH, which comprises of Shariah Board’s trained scholars, conducts an assessment of each patient as per Shariah guidelines to check for their zakat/donation eligibility. Likewise, funds from the respective account of TIH are allocated for the treatment.