Saving lives

It is commendable that the Punjab government and Novartis Pharma Pakistan have taken the initiative to relieve the misery of people suffering from deadly non-communicable diseases. Under the memorandum of understanding recently signed between the two, the pharmaceutical company would provide medicines worth Rs6 billion to the provincial government against the price of one dollar per patient. This step must be recognised both on the national and international level.
In Pakistan where the current annual budget for health is just Rs22 billion and thousands die due to lack of proper medication and shortage of funds, the pharmaceutical company would be helping those suffering from cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Today, when inflation and unemployment in Pakistan is high and it is difficult for the common man to meet monthly expenses, helping the poor and the needy by providing free medicines that would otherwise cost millions is a remarkable step.
Kashif Mustafa Qadri
Karachi