Ucare Foundation shop spotlights rural hospitals in Pakistan
December 10, 2009
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Mohammed Sarwar and Lord Provost Bob Winter open the Ucare shop on Victoria Road Picture: Colin Mackie
The new Ucare charity shop in Govanhill, which manages and raises money for Rajana and Chichawatni Foundation hospitals in Pakistan, was opened by Lord Provost Bob Winters recently.
The Lord Provost cut a ribbon outside the shop and said: ‘This charity does amazing work in providing cheap healthcare. For those who cannot afford to pay, it is free.
‘Many lives have been saved as a result. I hope the shop will raise even more money for the hospitals. I am happy to support this project and the work it does.’
Also in attendance were Ucare Foundation committee members including Mohammad Sarwar, the MP for Glasgow Central, who is chairman of Rajana Foundation Hospital.
Rajana was set up in 2005 after Mr Sarwar visited Pakistan, where lack of affordable healthcare in rural areas is a major public health concern.
Rajana hospital is in Punjab, at the junction of highways to four major towns – Pir Mahal, Toba Tek Singh, Kamalia and Sumundari.
It has more than 120 staff and 65 beds. Since its establishment, it has dealt with 142,888 patients, carried out 3576 operations and costs £250,000 every year to run.
Chichawatni was set up 2008, and has 45 beds and 65 staff. Staff treat 5,000 patients a month and the hospital costs £120,000 every year to run.
Both hospitals have 24/7 accident and emergency cover, ambulances and pharmacies.
Mr Sarwar said: ‘I would like to say a big thank-you to everybody who has worked really hard to open the shop, especially the committee members.
‘The aim of the shop is to raise money for both hospitals and to raise awareness of the invaluable work that we do. As people cannot afford to pay anything, it is subsidised and this includes operations, medications and any other treatments for any type of illnesses.’
The shop took two months to open, has two staff members and 20 volunteers.
The shop manager at 320 Victoria Road is Salman Siddique, who told the LOCAL NEWS: ‘We are really delighted to have the shop open, finally. It has been really hard work. Before we opened we had received many donations. We will continue to welcome more from members of the public.’
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