ACF Key Projects
Arthritis Care Foundation (ACF) as a registered trust came into inception in 2010 with three founding members starting volunteer services. Currently 7 volunteer rheumatologists and 11 doctors on ACF’s payroll are providing free or subsidised services at various charity & co-opted clinics, accommodating thousands of indigent patients with arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
ACF CHARITY CLINIC & DISPENSARY (NEW MUSLIM TOWN LAHORE)
- A dedicated charity clinic is located at New Muslim Town, Lahore.
- Currently, clinics are conducted six days a week by qualified rheumatologists, including Dr. Saira Khan, Dr. Rafaqat Hameed, and Dr. Muhammad Faiq.
- Deserving patients not only receive free or subsidized consultations but also benefit from free medications through the ACF dispensary, as well as diagnostic support.
- Every year, approximately PKR 10 million worth of medications are disbursed to deserving patients through the ACF dispensary.
- One designated Medical Officer, on ACF remuneration, is permanently available six days a week to facilitate patients.
- Patients are also provided with a designated Physiotherapist, on ACF remuneration, six days a week.
Medical
ACF collaborative clinics
In order to reach out more, ACF also collaborates with and supports various projects as under:
ACF CHARITY CLINICS AT AFJOG HOUSE
Since 1998, free weekly rheumatology clinics have been operational at Akhtar Mubarik Referral Center (AMRC), Lahore, before being relocated to AFJOG House. At this collaborative center, AFJOG generously provides clinic space, ancillary staff support, diagnostic services, and physiotherapy at no cost to rheumatology patients. As part of this partnership, the Arthritis Care Foundation (ACF) has established and continues to maintain its own formulary within the collaborative center. ACF funds the essential medications for underprivileged arthritis patients and fully funds the remuneration of a senior medical officer and a dispensary assistant to ensure seamless patient care. Additionally, the ACF team conducts free consultations once a week, further strengthening its commitment to accessible rheumatologic care. Through this collaboration, ACF has provided medications worth over PKR 13.5 million to indigent patients. In the financial year 2023-24 alone, ACF contributed PKR 4,187,459 worth of medications to patients receiving treatment at the AFJOG collaborative rheumatology clinics.
INSTITUTE OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES AT CENTRAL PARK MEDICAL TEACHING HOSPITAL
In 2021, through an MOU between ACF and Health & Education Foundation, ACF has joined hands with Central Park Teaching Hospital & Medical College (CPTH&MC); a project of Health & Education Foundation, and established a state of the art Department of Rheumatology. The Department of Rheumatology is being headed by Prof. Muhammad Ahmed Saeed. ACF aided in establishment of state of art Rheumatology Department at CPMC as well as Biologics Infusion Centre. ACF is supporting indigent patients through provision of medications (including biologics) and diagnostic facilitation. Through Faculty Support Program, ACF is also funding 50% of faculty of the department including remuneration of an Assistant Professor Rheumatology. In January 2022, due to efforts of ACF team, the Department of Rheumatology at CPTH got accredited by CPSP for FCPS Rheumatology training program. ACF is funding TWO trainee fellows through its Scholarship Program. During one year period (July-23 to June-24), more than Rs. 7.2 Million has been spent on provision of medications, biologics, faculty support and scholarship program at CPTH&MC. Currently, around Rs. 510,000 per month is being funded by ACF for Human Resources of the Rheumatology Department through Health & Education Foundation. This department is also recognized as research Centre for rheumatic disease patients and is part of The Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) registry on Spondyloarthritis (a kind of arthritis affecting spine & joints)
ACF in collaboration with (CPTH&MC)
7 Days Emergency Services
Biologics Infusion Centre
ACF & BEHBUD COLLABORATIVE RHEUMATOLOGY CLINIC
Free Rheumatology clinics were started in collaboration with BEHBUD Association, Lahore in 2006. ACF funded senior medical officer provides free consultation once a week at this clinic. It is ensured that one of the senior consultant attends their monthly health project meeting. ACF incurs the cost for medications for rheumatology patients seen at the BEHBUD Rheumatology Clinic. BEHBUD provides clinic space, ancillary support staff, diagnostic facilities and physiotherapy to rheumatology patients at subsidized rates. In the last financial year 2023-24, ACF sponsored free medicines at the BEHBUD Rheumatology clinics worth Rs. 1,667,243/- and so far PKR 19.2 Million has been spent on medications and diagnostics support for patients seen at BEHBUD.
ACF COLLABORATION WITH NATIONAL HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTRE
Arthritis Care Foundation has collaborated with Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital & Medical Centre (NH&MC) in strengthening of fellowship program and facilitation of in-patients treatment of white collar patients through negotiated subsidized rates. During the period in discussion, ACF spent Rs 549,582/- on in-patients treatment of ACF referred patients at NH&MC. ACF is also funding remuneration of a Senior Registrar, who is providing patient care at the Rheumatology Department and also actively involves in teaching & training. Since 2019, seven rheumatologists, funded by ACF, have completed their fellowship training from the Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital & Medical Centre, Lahore; including a Rheumatologist from Baluchistan. He is second of only two rheumatologists providing services in Baluchistan. The first rheumatology service set up in Quetta is also by an ACF scholarship recipient. Currently four trainee fellows are being fully or partially funded by ACF at Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital & Medical Centre Lahore.
ACF COLLABORATION WITH PSIM FOUNDATION (AAP KA CLINIC)
ACF has also collaborated with PSIM Foundation; an initiative of Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine (PSIM), to establish a Rheumatology clinic at ‘AAP KA CLINIC’ project of PSIM Foundation near Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore; a prime area in central Lahore. ACF funded qualified rheumatologist is providing clinical services at ‘AAP KA CLINIC’ once a week. While the PSIM Foundation is providing clinic space, ancillary support and medications to deserving patients seen at the clinic.