On Tuesday, 20^th January 2009, Pakistani Federal  Minister for Health, Mir Aijaz Khan Jhakrani inaugurated the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at PIMS (http://www.pims.gov.pk/index.htm) . Also present were the Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Vincenzo Prati, Executive Director PIMS, Dr. Abdul Majeed Rajput, Managing Director Pakistan Baitul Maal (http://www.baitulmaal.org/) , Zamarrud Khan, and Italian paediatric onco-hematologist,  Dr. Lawrence Faulkner.

The Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit has been established as a result of a partnership between PIMS and  Cure2Children (C2C) Foundation of Italy. This two-bed Unit, termed as a milestone in the history of PIMS, has been established in memory of an Italian child, Simone Montomoli, who died of cancer. The parents of Simone  have contributed 15,000 euros for the civil works of the project in Pakistan..

The unit will initially function with the assistance of C2C Foundation, which has committed to finance the cost of the first six transplants. The total cost of each transplant in Pakistan would be approximately Rs.1.2 million. C2C will also bear the cost of staff salaries for a period of two years or till the Rs.500 million PC-1 of the project is approved by the government.

Mr.Jhakrani congratulated the team that worked on the project. He thanked the government of Italy, C2C and parents of the deceased child for their support and confidence in opening such an important unit. He assured that the PC-1 would be given priority in processing and approval.

Dr.Rajput assured that PIMS would provide all the infrastructural facilities and support services. They include diagnostic facilities, equipment, and drugs which are currently available at PIMS, whereas, C2C would bear the cost of any test which is specific for Bone Marrow Transplant. He also said that PIMS would soon be in a position to offer training to other aspiring hospitals and professionals; a commitment to this effect has already been made with the Lahore Children’s Hospital.

Managing Director Pakistan Baitual Maal, Mr. Zamarrud Khan appreciated the help provided by  Khaild Zaman, Dr. Sadaf Khalid and C2C, without whose help the task would have not been achieved. Zamurrad Khan announced a donation of Rs300,000 in support of treatment of BMT patients.

Mr. Vicenzo Prati said he was impressed by the cooperation and competence of all Pakistani professionals involved  and committed to building on this initiative to further strengthen the existing ties between Pakistan and Italy in the field of healthcare.

Press:

Bone Marrow Transplant opens at PIMS, The News

Bone Marrow Transplant Unit opens at PIMS, Daily Times

Bone Marrow Transplant Unit opened at PIMS, The Nation

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