What is PWA?
Patients’ Welfare Association is a non-government, non-political, Dow Medical College student-run organization at Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi since 1979, serving patients for more than four decades. At the time of inception, conditions in Civil Hospital Karachi were extremely poor with patients deprived of basic medical facilities. Despite this, the hospital represents a desperate hope of the masses that find it hard to afford better treatment elsewhere.
Founders of PWA
The founding members, Dr. Inayat Hussain Thaver, Dr. Iqbal Noor Muhammad, and Dr. Abdur Rehman were only undergraduate medical students in Dow Medical College at the time. Despite having no financial support or other resources, they realized that even as students they could contribute to society with the skills and knowledge they had. Through empathy, hard work, and dedication they strived to bring a change for those in need.
Impact
What began as a single cabinet of medicine funded from their own lunch money, today proudly stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest, most well-funded, highly developed organizations and institutions. With a total impact of 1,400,000 blood products dispatched and around 250 Thalassemia registered patients currently, PWA’s vision is to provide quality care to its patients completely free of cost through carefully screened blood, medical treatment, and medications.
PWA’s Team
Even after numerous years, its fundamentals have not changed. A large portion of our current members comprise of students at Dow Medical College. They are known simply as “volunteers” for the title represents the true essence of PWA: to volunteer or give freely towards the benefit of others, whatever he/she can spare, be it time, money, or compassion. The founders knew and understood the value of teamwork. Thus, they made sure to inculcate this virtue in all subsequent generations of volunteers, resulting in what started as a team of 3 best friends now becoming the ‘PWA Family’ spanning 42 years of volunteers with a rapidly growing number. But all this would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and donors, whom we consider the backbone of PWA. As our journey continues, we invite everyone and anyone who believes in our mission of serving humanity.
Blood Transfusion Services
Since its establishment in 1982, Blood Transfusion Services has been an integral part of the services of PWA. The Voluntary Blood Bank is registered by the Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority (SBTA). Over the years, it has become the largest single outlet blood bank in the country with a daily output of approximately 250 blood bags.
According to Islamabad Blood Transfusion Authority (IBTA), there are 20 blood banks in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and their combined input from July 2015 to June 2016 was approximately 68000 blood bags. While in the same period, the single outlet of PWA at Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi collected and processed more than 74000 blood bags. These figures alone show the tremendous contribution of PWA Blood bank towards the welfare of the masses and the effort put in for the betterment of society.
Advancement in Technology
PWA’s Voluntary Blood Bank provides component therapy in the form of packed cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelets on exchange basis, completely free of cost. To ensure the provision of safe blood, each blood bag goes through a careful screening process for HIV I & II, Hepatitis B & C, Malaria and Syphilis in accordance with WHO guidelines. With the advancement of technology and support from our donors, sponsors, and well-wishers, PWA has further upgraded its screening methodology from Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to Chemiluminescent Immunosorbent Assay (CLIA) which further adds to quality and safety of blood provided by PWA.
Thalassemia Services
In 2011, the Thalassemia Day Center came into being. Since the foundation was laid, it has been managing patients under the guidance of a competent hematologist for the provision of screened regular blood transfusions, iron chelation therapy and other medications, viral markers, screening, and baseline investigations completely free of cost. Currently around 250 registered patients (with a budget of PKR 20 million annually) are being facilitated with the aim to improve the quality of life of these patients by zero compromise on the standard of services rendered. “Sponsor A Thalassemia Child” Campaign was to meet the monetary needs of treatment for our thalassemia patients, where you can sponsor any patient’s medication or other facilities being provided to them by PWA. The cost is around PKR 250,000/- to 450,000/- per patient per year. Help PWA by giving thalassemia-stricken children a chance for a better life and be provided with quality healthcare which they deserve.