Privilege to serve: a journey from UK to SKMCH

As I sit in my office at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Lahore, I am filled with a sense of pride and purpose. It's been more than two years since I made the decision to leave behind my comfortable life as a consultant radiation oncologist in the UK and return to my homeland, Pakistan.

The decision to move back was not taken lightly, but I felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to give back to my community.

Growing up in Pakistan, I had seen firsthand the struggles that people faced in accessing quality healthcare, particularly when it came to cancer treatment. I knew that I wanted to be part of the solution, and Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre seemed like the perfect place to do so.

As the Head of Department of Clinical and Radiation Oncology, I have had the privilege of leading a team of dedicated professionals who share my passion for delivering exceptional patient care.

What struck me most when I first joined the hospital was the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that were available. The radiation technology that I had grown accustomed to in the UK was readily available here, and I was impressed by the level of expertise and training that the staff had received.

For example, linear accelerators with stereotactic body radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery capabilities are available here, free of charge for deserving cancer patients. But what has truly made my experience here so rewarding is the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of my patients.

Every day, I see people from all walks of life come through our doors, each with their own unique story and struggles. And every day, I am reminded of the power of compassion, kindness, and quality care to transform lives.

One of the things that I appreciate most about working at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre is the hospital's commitment to providing financially supported care to needy patients.

As a charitable hospital, we rely on the generosity of donors to help us continue our mission of providing quality care to all, regardless of their ability to pay. When patients come to my clinic, I am not aware of their financial situation, and it doesn't matter. Every patient receives the same level of care, attention, and compassion, regardless of whether they are paying themselves or receiving financially supported care.

This is what makes working here so unique and fulfilling. As I look back on my journey so far, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and purpose.

I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented and dedicated team, and I am grateful for the trust that our patients have placed in us. I am proud to be part of an institution that is making a real difference in the lives of so many people.

And I am proud to be part of a community that is committed to giving back. If you are considering donating to our hospital, I want to assure you that every rupee counts. Your generosity will help us to continue providing quality care to deserving cancer patients, and it will bring us one step closer to creating a world where everyone has access to the healthcare they deserve.

The writer is a Consultant Radiation Oncologist and Head of Department, Clinical & Radiation Oncology at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Lahore .