[Shabahat Taqvi in Pakistan Needs 150k for a Liver Transplant]

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem

My uncle, Shabahat Abbas Taqvi, is a patient awaiting liver transplant in Pakistan. A patient of various illnesses for years, Shabahat Abbas discovered on June 1st, 2017, that he was long overdue for a liver transplant. His medical results indicated he was positive for multi-centric hepatoma in his post-cirrhotic liver, with the presence of blood clotting in his portal vein. 

In Pakistan, the lack of medical infrastructure does not allow for organ transplants for those who cannot afford them, and people like my uncle, who do not have hundreds of thousands of dollars to spare, are not given the chance at life they deserve. Shabahat and his family live an extremely modest and bare lifestyle. Their monthly expenses can barely cover their means to survive, and now with Shabahat out of work, they have fallen even deeper into destitution. They are entirely unable to pay for even the most basic of living costs, let alone the amount needed to fund this life saving procedure. 

[The Story]

My uncle Shabahat has given every molecule of his life to others; first to his wife and his beloved sons, and then to anyone who needs him. His generosity is unmet, his complete devotion to helping others is unparalleled. Even in times when my uncle and his family have had nothing, they have strived to provide for others. 

Organ transplant patients in Pakistan have very few options; the only real and plausible chance at successful organ transplantation is to travel across the border to India where organ transplant hospitals have the experts and means to service patients. 

The cheapest cost for an organ transplant--just the transplant itself--in India at the location we are referred to is approx 25 lakh IR. In Canadian dollars this amounts to 52 000 dollars. This price includes a 14 day stay at the hospital, without food and without the costs of tests or medication, or the cost of tests and medication for his son, who will be the donor. 

In the case of my uncle and the severity of his condition, his projected stay at the hospital is 90 days, and 14-20 days for his son (though most likely 14 rather than 20). The cost per day is approx 1500 IR for an apartment across the street from the Mendanta Medicity hospital. This would cost them, approximately, another 3000 dollars. 

Each time my uncle or his son is admitted back into the hospital for a check up, they will be charged for it. Each time they have blood drawn they will be charged for it. Each time they are administered medication they will be charged for it. Each time they need anything at all from the hospital, they will be charged for it. 

As post-liver transplant patients require an intense amount of care, it is impossible that their final bill will be ONLY 55 000 dollars. 

We have based our estimate cost on a template provided by the hospital of another patient in similar condition to my uncle. The final bill given to that patient was 41 lakh IR, which amounts to 86 000 dollars CAD. 

Including living expenses: 89 000 (estimate from hospital)

Including travel expenses: 95 000 (estimate from google flights for mid July for 4 people)

Including food: 96 128.00 (estimate from hospital)

Including tests: 98 842.00 (estimate from hospital)

The minimum needed for his stay at the hospital, given that he only requires the minimum number of tests and nothing more, and given that he does not stay longer than the projected 90 days, is 98 842.00 CAD. This cost does not include the cost of medicine which he will need after the transplant. We do not have an estimate for this cost yet, but will update the page once we do. 

On top of these expenses, my uncle and consequently his son (the donor) will not be able to work immediately after the transplant. They will require money for food, rent, medicine, further tests in Pakistan, electricity and possible stays in the hospital post-treatment. 

For this reason we have set the estimate cost for his full transplant, stay and recovery at 150 000 CAD. We will work on getting scans of invoices ASAP so you're able to consolidate our costs. 

In the case of my uncle, his liver transplant is overdue and needs to be completed as soon as possible. 

But obtaining the money is only the first obstacle; even if you have the funds, the Indian government has placed new and extremely strict prohibitions on providing Visas to Pakistani nationals. It has become next to impossible--even for those seeking life-saving treatment. So this, alongside the financial hurdle, is another obstacle we must tackle. 

[The Details]

[How You Can Help]

For the past three days I have been dumbfounded at the prospect of losing my uncle--all because we do not have the money to support his treatment. It is an unbelievably cruel reality that you can be left to perish if you are not extremely wealthy--people should not die because they cannot afford treatment. 

You can help my uncle by donating ANY amount to this campaign--all funds will go directly to him and his family for food and medicine, travel costs, and all costs related to his transplant. 

You can help my uncle by sharing this campaign on your Facebook, on your blogs, your twitters, and in your university/high school/college pages where more people might become aware and donate. Every cent is crucial. 

Finally, you can help my uncle by keeping him in your prayers, by beseeching our Creator who loves us all to protect him and his family from calamity. It is through Allah (SWT) that all things are possible and I have faith that my uncle's life can be saved by our efforts. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. May God bless you this Ramzan and keep you and your family under His protection always. 

With love and blessings, 

Zanab

P.S. if you require more information regarding his tests, results, prognosis or any other evidence, please feel free to contact me at zanabism@gmail.com