ABOUT ACF
The founders of Arthritis Care Foundation (ACF) started community services in 1998 in Pakistan with the establishment of Rheumatology Clinics at Akhtar Mubarik Referral Centre, Lahore, in collaboration with AFJOG and Fatima Memorial Hospital’s free clinics. These services were expanded to collaborate with the Health project of Behbud Association, Lahore, in 2005.
Arthritis Care Foundation was formally registered as a Trust in 2010 under the Societies Registration Act. ACF as a step towards expanding and maximizing these services to deserving patients of rheumatic diseases requiring financial assistance.
ACF provides medications (including biologics), diagnostic support and joint replacements for indigent arthritis patients, as well as scholarships for rheumatology training.
VISION
Every patient with Arthritis should have access to standard of care to prevent disability & premature death.
MISSION STATEMENT
To establish, encourage, assist and support, Medical, Social Welfare and Educational activities, pertaining to deserving or under privileged patients, both adult and children with arthritis and other related rheumatic diseases, regardless of their sex, religion, caste, or color, and without prejudice to the generality of the aforesaid.
OBJECTIVES
- To assist non-paying patients with diagnostic tests as well as with treatment including consultations, laboratory test, radiology, medicines and latest Biologic agents;
- To provide latest treatments, which are highly effective but expensive e. g. Biologic therapies;
- To establish an endowment fund for providing scholarships to trainees in Rheumatology, there by addressing the critical shortage of qualified rheumatologists in the country;
- To facilitate joint replacement for deserving arthritic patients, both children and adults;
- To establish a comprehensive physician, patient and public awareness program, through seminars and disease information booklets;
- To establish the first Institute of Rheumatic Diseases in Pakistan: for patient care, training and research; and collaborate with other organizations for this purpose;
- To establish patient support groups; and
- To receive and procure assistance, donations and aid from the government, individuals, institutions, charitable organizations and trusts, both local or international.
ACF SERVICES
ACF services are listed as below:
- Conventional Disease Modifying Medications, Diagnostics and Rehabilitation
- Biologics (Rituximab, Etanercept, Tocilizumab)
- Joint Replacements Facilitation
- Expensive Medications for Lupus (SLE) Patients (Mycophenolate Mofetil)
- Scholarship(s) for Rheumatology Trainee (s)/Fellow(s)
- Health Awareness Campaigns
- Printing of Patient Educational Brochures/Newsletters