By Emb Hashmi
Asian World spoke to the cricketing legend that is Shahid Afridi about the life changing work done by the Afridi foundation to transform amongst other key issues- health care- in what is one of the most poverty stricken regions in Pakistan. One of the projects of this ground-breaking foundation is the innovative hospital for women and children, which was opened in Kohat, KPK, Pakistan.
The Ahibzada Fazal Rehman Memorial and Charity Hospital, was funded solely by Shahid Afridi and his friends, with no government or international support; this factor alone illustrates the cricket legends’ dedication and passion to help those most in need and save the lives of innocent people as well as educating them to live a healthier and happier life. Shahid Afridi has famously been quoted as saying: “I have gained a great deal of experience within my cricketing career and this has helped me to serve people around me. I now want to take this further and help.” Now the hospital is opened and treating its new patients, the foundation is working on its long term sustainability; one of the most important is to raise a permanent revenue stream- this is something that anyone can help with by making either a one- off donation or making regular donations to the charity via the official bank account. Or through the foundation website http://www.shahidafridifoundation.org/
Mr. Afridi said during the conversation that he hopes to slowly expand the hospital but emphasised that it would be over a long period of time, as he did not want to build a large hospital where many departments would be left derelict and unused due to lack of resources to maintain them. Even at this early stage, the hospital has already saved many lives, and hopes to attract more medical experts- especially female doctors, as there is a distinct shortage of female doctors in that region. Shahid Afridi said: “We found it very difficult to find a female doctor, this was imperative for the success of this hospital, so we hope to in the future use the medical facilities to teach and train others to overcome this problem.”
The foundation is in its infancy but has gained great momentum and achieved an incredible accomplishment. The Afridi foundation has six key priorities • Health support for the needy • Support for children • Education for children • Community development • Build partnerships • Health and well-being
