History
Our journey began with a group of selfless, visionary women united by a single mission: to serve impoverished cancer patients who had been discharged from hospitals—patients for whom medical treatment could no longer offer a cure.
With no funds, no premises, and nothing but unwavering faith in Allah Subhana Wa Ta’Ala, they pooled their personal resources and took the first courageous step toward this noble cause.
Instrumental to the formal establishment of Al Mehrab Tibbi Imdad were Mr. Liaquat Merchant and Ms. Faresa Ahsan, who played key roles in drafting the Memorandum and Articles of Association and registering the Society under the Societies Registration Act of 1861 on October 11, 1997. Sixteen founding members signed the Charter. Though three members eventually parted ways due to differences, the remaining members formed a core committee, committed to personally funding the hospice and raising donations from family and friends.
Operations began in a modest rented house in KDA Scheme 1, Karachi. What followed was nothing short of miraculous.
A Turning Point: Support from the French Consulate
One of our earliest and most significant supporters was Mr. Gilles Bonnoud, then Consul General of France in Karachi. During a visit to explore local charities, he spent just a few minutes touring Al Mehrab before declaring, “This is the charity I am going to help.”
Our first patient was admitted in January 1998.
Later, when the lease on our rented premises expired and we had to vacate, The Kidney Centre generously offered us a wing within their facility, allowing us to continue operations for a year.
From 1999 to 2010, the Consulate General of France in Karachi organised annual fundraising events on our behalf. With their remarkable support, we made enormous strides. The funds raised allowed us to purchase an old house in SMCHS, Karachi, which we demolished to construct a purpose-built hospice.
Renowned architect Mr. Shahab Gani kindly volunteered his services pro bono, and the foundation stone was laid in 2004 by then Consul General Mr. Yves Berthoud. The new facility was inaugurated in 2006, with Mr. Gilles Bonnoud returning to grace the occasion. Also present were Mr. Pierre Seillan, the serving Consul General at the time, and Mr. Hassan Ali Khan, owner of LU Biscuits, whose generous sponsorship had made many of the fundraising efforts possible.
Continuing the Mission
Unfortunately, due to rising global security concerns, the French Consulate’s public fundraising events came to an end. Since then, Al Mehrab Tibbi Imdad has operated independently, sustained by the blessings (Barkat) of Allah Subhana Wa Ta’Ala and the ongoing generosity of kind-hearted individuals who continue to support us with donations in both cash and kind.
We remain committed to our mission: to offer peace, purpose, and compassion to every patient who walks through our doors.
Total Patients
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Donors
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Founder Members
Begum Razia Nawazish Ali
Begum Qaiser Nasim Jan
Justice (R) Majida Razvi
Mr. Liaquat Merchant
Amtul Rauf (Oofi) Khan
Faresa Ahsan
Amber Alibhai
Begum Banu Rangoonwala
Dr. Faridoon Setna
Sherry Rahman
Saba Ubaid
Spenta Kandawala
