Patients’ Aid Foundation chairman Zahid Bashir honoured with Sitara-e-Imtiaz

President Mamnoon Hussain confers the award at the Presidential House on 23rd March

The chairman of Patients’ Aid Foundation (PAF) has been awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honours for public service in the country.

Zahid Bashir was given the award by President Mamnoon Hussain at the 23^rd March event held at the Presidential House.

Bashir has been at the helm of the organisation since its foundation in 1990. During his time in this role, he has raised a very substantial amount for public healthcare.

Mushtaq Chhapra, PAF vice-chairman, was also awarded the same honour last year.

While commenting on the occasion, Bashir said he was “honoured, yet humbled”.

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 the occasion.

Dr Jamali served as the head of the emergency department at the hospital before being promoted to the executive post.

Patients’ Aid Foundation is one of Pakistan’s leading healthcare organisations supporting 1.2 million patients a year, who receive treatment at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), 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 blood bank, neurotrauma, radiology, oncology, ophthalmology and several others.

The foundation has also invested in and manages the CyberKnife (Advanced Robotic Cancer Treatment), PET Scan, MRI, mammography and other similar health facilities.

It is also funding the building of many new facilities at JPMC, including the new OPD and surgical complex and Jinnah food complex.