AKU and Roche, Pakistan’s joint efforts bring relief to cancer patients

On September 30, 2024, the leadership and healthcare professionals of the Aga Khan University came together to celebrate the generosity of Roche, Pakistan, in providing access to cancer care at AKU’s Hospital in Karachi.

Since 2018, Roche Pakistan under its access programme, has provided medicines to patients at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent individuals from receiving the treatments they need. This initiative has not only eased the burden of medical costs for many families but has also restored the hope and dignity of those fighting cancer.

This six-year partnership between AKU and Roche has benefited over 1500 cancer patients treated at AKUH. What brings the two organisations together is their shared goal of making high-quality life-saving cancer treatments accessible to patients who can’t afford them.

“The fight against cancer in Pakistan is one that is far bigger than any single institution. It’s one that demands that people and institutions across the country join hands and work together. And that is precisely what Roche and AKU are doing”, said AKU President, Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin at the appreciation event.

The Aga Khan University Hospital’s Patient Welfare Programme brings together individual and corporate donors like Roche, Pakistan to support patients from low-income backgrounds to access critical treatments for complex diseases such as cancer. Since 1986, the welfare programme has disbursed nearly 35 billion rupees in welfare support, helping millions of individuals from across Pakistan to benefit from quality healthcare services at AKUH.

Ms Hafsa Shamsie, Managing Director, Roche, Pakistan lauded the joint efforts in improving patients’ journey as they battle cancer. “I see it as a utopian ideal partnership. Why? Because we provide standard-of-care medication, and Aga Khan University Hospital is a Centre of Excellence,” she said.

“The in-kind support from Roche, Pakistan not only provides vital medicines but also instils hope in our patients during some of their darkest times”, said Ms Zahra Somani, Chief Advancement Officer, AKU. “We look forward to continuing our partnership to expand access to quality cancer care for the people of Pakistan.”