Our Story

Our Journey of Hope and Support

Kiran Patients Welfare Society (KPWS) has been a beacon of hope for countless cancer patients and their families. What started as a small initiative has grown into a movement, providing medical aid, financial assistance, and emotional support to those in need. With each passing year, KPWS has expanded its reach, partnering with hospitals, launching awareness campaigns, and ensuring that no patient fights alone. Our journey is a testament to resilience, compassion, and the unwavering belief that together, we can make a difference.

The Role of KPWS

Addressing the Needs of Underprivileged Cancer Patients

The Karachi Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (KIRAN), established, funded, and managed by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), is a critical healthcare facility serving cancer patients from Karachi, rural Sindh, and Balochistan. With an increasing number of financially constrained patients seeking treatment for cancer and related diseases, the need for an active welfare society became imperative.

While KIRAN provides specialized consultations, radiotherapy, and laboratory diagnostics, it does not cover chemotherapy, essential anti-cancer drugs, or pain management medication. As a result, many impoverished patients are forced to discontinue treatments that fall outside KIRAN’s scope due to financial constraints.

The Kiran Patients Welfare Society (KPWS): Bridging the Gap

To address this critical gap, the Kiran Patients Welfare Society (KPWS) was established on January 30, 2003, with the primary objective of providing free chemotherapy to underprivileged cancer patients. KPWS operates on the principles of alleviating suffering, supporting the less privileged, and fostering charitable giving.

A Legacy of Service

Since its inception, KPWS has made a significant impact on the lives of disadvantaged cancer patients at KIRAN. Our success is reflected in the increasing number of beneficiaries and the substantial funds raised for patient care. Key achievements include:

  • Providing free chemotherapy to approximately 20,000 patients annually.
  • Subsidizing radiotherapy for a significant number of KIRAN patients to help alleviate financial constraints.
  • Financing, through donations, the procurement and installation of a Linear Accelerator for radiotherapy at KIRAN Hospital. Additionally, KPWS raised funds for the construction of the Bunker/LINAC Vault to house this equipment.
  • Facilitating outsourcing and funding of oncology surgeries for non-affording patients at KIRAN Hospital.

Context in Which KPWS Operates

Cancer remains a major health concern in Pakistan. As of 2024, approximately 4.1 million prevalent cancer cases exist in the country:

  • 1.7 million males
  • 2.4 million females

According to the Burden of Disease (BoD) data2.7 million new cases are reported annually. Among the most common treatments available in Pakistan are:

  • Chemotherapy – Drug-based cancer cell elimination.
  • Radiation Therapy – High-energy radiation targeting cancerous growths.
  • Targeted Therapy – Precision drugs attacking specific cancer structures.
  • Immunotherapy – Enhancing the body’s immune response to cancer.
  • Surgery – Tumor removal through surgical intervention.
  • Hormone Therapy – Disrupting hormone-driven cancer growth.
  • Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transplant – Replacing damaged cells for specific cancers.

With 39.4% of Pakistan’s population (95 million people) living below the poverty line, access to cancer treatment remains unaffordable for many. This situation underscores the urgent need for philanthropic intervention to supplement the overburdened capacity of government hospitals and facilities, ensuring that essential care reaches those who need it most.

KPWS: Strengths

  1. Access to Advanced Cancer Treatments
    • KPWS benefits from its association with PAEC’s KIRAN Hospital, integrating cutting-edge cancer treatment technologies.
  2. Cost-Effective Service Delivery
    • KIRAN provides more affordable cancer treatment compared to other hospitals offering similar services.
    • KPWS has underutilized capacity, which can be optimized to expand services and ensure long-term sustainability.
  3. Growing Cancer Patient Population
    • With the rising number of cancer cases due to population growth and unhealthy lifestyles, preventive awareness and early detection programs are crucial. For which KPWS is well poised to promote.
  4. Public-Private Partnerships & Government Funding
    • The Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP) in Balochistan, KPK, and Punjab endeavors to ensure that a maximum of underprivileged citizens can access medical treatment without financial burdens.
    • The SSP’s objective is to improve access to quality medical services for low-income populations through a micro-health insurance scheme.
    • KPWS is treating a large number of patients under the SSP at KIRAN. Even though it has hugely enhanced the financial outlay for KPWS

Challenges Faced By KPWS

Despite its strengths, KPWS faces the challenge of Cost Escalation as the demand for free cancer treatment is rising, making resource allocation increasingly difficult.

The Road Ahead for KPWS

KPWS remains committed to providing lifesaving cancer care to underprivileged patients. With collective effort and the continued generosity of our donors, KPWS can bridge the cancer care gap and bring hope to thousands of suffering patients across Pakistan.

Together, we can bring hope and healing to those in desperate need and earn thier heartfelt prayers for the generosity of our worthy donors.