· Leaders, doctors pledge support to ensure timely treatment for patients without insurance
Hyderabad, March 14: Advisor to Telangana Government Mohammed Ali Shabbir, Minority Welfare Minister Md Azharuddin, former Home Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali, Telangana State Waqf Board Chairman Syed Azmatullah Hussaini and Siasat Daily Editor Amer Ali Khan on Saturday jointly launched the Peace Foundation at Western Hospitals, Krishna, Lakdi-ka-Pul in Hyderabad. The initiative was introduced to mobilise financial support for poor patients who often struggle to meet the immediate costs of treatment during medical emergencies.
The initiative was launched in the presence of several senior doctors and specialists associated with Western Hospitals, including Dr M A Mateen Siddiqui (Radiologist), Dr Syed Akbar Hassan (Gastroenterologist) and Dr Mustafa Faisal (Neurosurgeon) and other medical professionals, who said the foundation would function as a transparent platform to assist deserving patients during medical emergencies.
Shabbir Ali announces Rs 5 lakh donation
Taking the lead at the event, Mohammed Ali Shabbir said the establishment of the Peace Foundation during the holy month of Ramzan was a meaningful initiative aimed at helping economically weaker sections receive timely and quality healthcare.
Referring to the challenges faced by poor families during sudden illnesses, he said many patients arrive at hospitals without insurance or financial resources. In such situations, urgent treatment, medicines and diagnostic tests become difficult to arrange.
He noted that medical emergencies do not come with prior warning and families often struggle to mobilise funds immediately. According to him, the foundation was created to address precisely this gap by providing support for patients who cannot afford immediate treatment.
Shabbir Ali said doctors and hospitals associated with the initiative had agreed to contribute and work collectively so that deserving patients receive assistance from the foundation’s funds. He explained that the concept was to ensure that life-saving treatment does not get delayed due to lack of money.
He also pointed out that the community had historically been slow in adopting new systems such as insurance, which had contributed to financial difficulties during medical emergencies. According to him, health insurance awareness remained low among many families, leaving them vulnerable during sudden illnesses.
Shabbir Ali said the objective of the Peace Foundation was to ensure that patients who cannot afford expensive treatment in large corporate hospitals still receive quality care at significantly lower costs.
Announcing his personal support, he donated Rs 5 lakh to the foundation and assured continued assistance. He also said the Telangana government would extend cooperation to initiatives aimed at helping poor patients.
The Advisor added that with the support of leaders such as Minister Md Azharuddin and others, efforts would be made to facilitate government support wherever required for the functioning of the foundation. He also praised Western Hospitals, which offer a range of speciality services.
Azharuddin assures full support
Minority Welfare Minister Md Azharuddin welcomed the initiative and congratulated the organisers for establishing the foundation to support poor patients.
He said the role of doctors in society was extremely important as they deal directly with people’s health and lives. According to him, rising healthcare costs have become a major burden for many families, and therefore, initiatives that provide assistance to poor patients were highly valuable.
Azharuddin also urged doctors to guide patients on preventive healthcare and healthy dietary habits whenever they visit hospitals. He said many health problems arise from improper eating habits and lack of awareness about lifestyle management.
He emphasised that patients should also follow medical advice carefully rather than relying on misleading information found on the internet. According to him, doctors’ guidance plays a crucial role in preventing serious health complications.
The Minister assured that he would extend full support to the Peace Foundation and said the organisers could approach him, Shabbir Ali and other leaders whenever assistance from the government was required.
He also appealed to the media to give wide publicity to the initiative so that more people become aware of the services being offered by the foundation.
Mahmood Ali highlights need for financial assistance
Former Home Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali said the launch of the Peace Foundation was an important step towards addressing healthcare challenges faced by economically weaker sections.
He said many patients who possess insurance or sufficient financial resources receive immediate treatment in hospitals, while poor families often struggle to begin treatment due to lack of money.
According to him, delays caused by financial constraints can seriously affect patients’ health. He noted that hospital expenses have become extremely high and many families are unable to afford long-term treatment.
Mahmood Ali said the foundation would provide much-needed support to deserving patients who cannot afford medical expenses. He also called for more hospitals and healthcare facilities that cater to economically weaker communities.
He suggested that government schemes such as Aarogyasri should be extended to hospitals serving poor patients and that reimbursement claims for treatment should be allowed so that more people can access medical services.
Mahmood Ali also appealed to philanthropists and financially well-placed individuals to contribute generously to the foundation so that poor patients can receive timely treatment.
Amer Ali Khan pledges publicity support
Siasat Daily Editor and former MLC Amer Ali Khan congratulated the organisers and said the initiative would play an important role in helping poor patients receive treatment.
He said many health problems today were linked to changing lifestyles and unhealthy dietary habits. Referring to Islamic teachings, he said moderation in eating and maintaining a disciplined routine are emphasised in religious guidance and can help prevent several diseases.
Amer Ali Khan also appreciated the work being done by Western Hospitals, saying the institution had been functioning with corporate-level medical standards while maintaining affordability for patients.
Announcing his support, he donated Rs 1 lakh to the Peace Foundation and assured publicity support through Siasat Daily so that awareness about the initiative reaches a wider audience.
Doctors explain objective of the foundation
Dr Syed Akbar Hassan (Gastroenterologist), Dr Mustafa Faisal (Neurosurgeon), Dr M A Mateen Siddiqui (Radiologist), Dr Safiullah (Radiologist), Dr Hammad Osama (Radiologist), Dr Sameer (Pulmonologist), Dr Jalaal (Orthopaedic Surgeon), Dr Shadan Qadri (Urologist) and Dr Syed Shah Ali Hussaini (Physician) attended and addressed the function.
Speaking on the occasion, the doctors said the Peace Foundation was established to provide immediate financial assistance to patients who are unable to arrange funds during medical emergencies. They said certain conditions, particularly neurological disorders, often require prolonged treatment and hospitalisation, placing a heavy financial burden on families.
The doctors said the foundation would function as a transparent platform where doctors, hospitals and philanthropists can contribute funds to support deserving patients and help cover the initial cost of treatment and medicines.
They said patients without insurance often lose critical time before treatment begins as hospitals require advance deposits, which can lead to serious complications. The doctors added that the foundation aims to ensure that deserving patients receive timely treatment without delay. (eom)