April 27, 2006 marked the much anticipated inauguration of the 3rd floor Research Wing at SKMCH. The spectacular facility is a result of the overwhelming generosity of the Naeem family who donated Rs.30 million to build and equip the area; Begum Tasneem Naeem donated money in the memory of her late father, Mr. Abdul Hafeez.
The ceremony was honoured by the attendance of several members of the Naeem family. Mr. Imran Khan, members of the SKM Board of Governors, CEO Dr. Faisal Sultan and SKM research support group.
The area approximately 15,000 square ft. is self sufficient suite furnished with state of the art equipment. With one main, two standard and several auxiliary laboratories constructed in accordance with international bio-safety standards. With a large conference room and library, a clinical trials office, and a data management office, the research team at SKMCH is set with a core facility for clinicians and scientists to join forces and gain a better understanding of cancer in Pakistan. The SKM research group now has the means to establish the thriving research section it has aspired towards and to extend their generic and epidemiological studies for the ultimate improvement of clinical management of cancer patients.
Cancer research has always been a priority at SKMCH. With an active clinical trial office involved in several international studies from major pharmaceutical companies, a contemporary data management team responsible for an advanced medical record system and the development of an institutional and province-wide cancer registry; and a basic sciences lab equipped with latest in molecular biology technology and genetic experimentation, SKMCH is fulfilling its vision to be a leader in cancer research in Pakistan. The development of a centralised research section now enables us to house each of these divisions in a shared and organised space thereby encouraging interaction and collaborative work.
PET CT Scan
Pet CT scan is the only imaging technique that provides information about activity of cancer cells. It has rapidly become the technique of choice for diagnosing cancer, assisting response to treatment and detecting early relapse of disease. There is no PET CT Scan in Pakistan and patients have to go abroad for this essential test. As part of its ongoing programme of clinical excellence in cancer care, SKMT is investing in a cyclotron and CT Pet for the benefit of Pakistani patients. This will require a massive investment of almost 5 million US Dollars. Work has started on the project and the facility should be available by late 2007. SKMT will also be able to provide the isotope 18 FDG to other centres as far away as Karachi.
First Bone Marrow Transplant
SKMCH & RC conducted its first Bone Marrow Transplantation procedure, in a patient, Muhammad Salman on April 26, 2006 making it the first such facility in Lahore. The transplantation, which cost £14,000 was conducted absolutely free of cost. The project was financed by a generous donor who wish to remain anonymous.
Latest Technology
Two new Cardiac CT scan 64-Slice machines were acquired recently. Also, added to the list of new equipment was an Ultra-sound Dopler. Acquisitions like these gel in with SKMCH mission and promise of staying current with technological advances in the medical field, to alleviate the suffering of patients and of providing free state-of-the-art treatment to the poor patients.
