Balochistan Awami Endowment Fund Board Approves New Cases Worth Over Rs 2.72 Billion for Treatment of Life-Threatening Diseases

**Quetta:** The 24th meeting of the Balochistan Awami Endowment Fund (BAEF) Board was held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare Haji Wali Muhammad Norzai, during which new medical cases costing more than Rs 2.72 billion were approved for the treatment of patients suffering from serious and life-threatening diseases.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Social Welfare Ismatullah Qureshi, Additional Secretary Health Shehq Baloch, Additional Secretary from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat Rohana Kakar, Director Headquarters Social Welfare Ashraf Gachki, Program Director BAEF Samina Ehsan Baloch, Assistant Director Social Welfare Inayatullah Kasi, Finance Department representative Bashir Ahmed, Dr. Zahid Mahmood, Dr. Feroz Achakzai, Sana Durrani, Zia Khan, along with representatives from various departments and civil society.

During the meeting, Program Director Samina Ehsan Baloch briefed the participants on previously approved cases under the Balochistan Awami Endowment Fund, including treatments for cancer, cardiac diseases, implants and limb-saving procedures, end-stage renal disease and dialysis, hepatitis, liver transplantation, thalassemia, cochlear implants, and other serious illnesses. She informed the board that 404 cases had been approved in the previous meeting at a total cost of Rs 930 million, out of which Rs 269 million had already been spent on the treatment of 321 patients, while treatment of 83 cases was still in progress.

The board was further informed that 1,054 new cases had been received, requiring an estimated cost of Rs 2.72 billion, which were approved by the board. It was also shared that Rs 520 million was available with panel hospitals under the Awami Endowment Fund, out of which Rs 242 million had already been adjusted against various cases, while approval was granted for the adjustment of the remaining amount as well.

The meeting was told that medicines worth Rs 200 million had already been procured, benefiting 492 patients so far. However, due to increasing demand, the board also approved the purchase of additional medicines worth another Rs 200 million. The board further directed the Program Director to carry out the necessary working for the inclusion of Arya Hospital in the fund’s panel.

Speaking on the occasion, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare Haji Wali Muhammad Norzai said that all possible measures would be taken to further enhance transparency in the functioning of the Balochistan Awami Endowment Fund. He emphasized that the fund is the only initiative in the province providing expensive medical treatment completely free of cost to poor and deserving patients. He also shared that discussions had been held with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding support for the fund, and the prime minister had assured full cooperation.

Haji Wali Muhammad Norzai stressed that public health is of utmost importance and that service to humanity must rise above personal relationships and affiliations. He reiterated that the funds allocated to the Balochistan Awami Endowment Fund are a public trust, and their transparent and proper utilization remains the top priority of the government.