- SHINE Humanity making lasting impact on health, well-being of underserved communities
- Sindh govt remains supportive, more backing helps us support rural people
Interview with Mr Kalbe Abbas Dharamsey — Chairman Board of Directors, SHINE Humanity, Pakistan
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself and your organization, please:
Kalbe Abbas Dharamsey: I currently serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for SHINE Humanity Pakistan, an NGO founded in 2009 by a group of Pakistani-American doctors and entrepreneurs based out of Tustin, California. Alongside my role at SHINE Humanity, I am a businessman by profession and serve as a director at Farah International.
Our mission at SHINE Humanity is to provide compassionate and sustainable preventative and primary healthcare to underserved communities by collaborating with key partners. In 2013, we registered under the Societies Act 1860 to further advance our mission and implement it in Pakistan. Since our founding, SHINE Humanity has been active in different parts of the world, and our current area of focus is rural Pakistan, particularly Sindh, where we provide free healthcare services to underserved communities through our 13 primary healthcare clinics.
At our clinics, we offer a range of services, including outpatient care, preventative health education, free medication, lab tests, ultrasounds, and referral services. Additionally, our clinics serve as hubs for various programs, including diabetes, asthma, hepatitis, malaria, malnutrition and more.
Our programmatic approach is what sets SHINE Humanity apart from other non-profit organizations. We work to address healthcare issues deeply embedded in our communities, rather than just providing treatment. By treating diseases at the grassroots level before they become serious and potentially life-threatening, we can make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of underserved communities.
PAGE: Charity is a central tenet of Islam, which lays great emphasis on supporting the needy and the poor. What is your perspective about it?
Kalbe Abbas Dharamsey:Â As Muslims, we have always been taught that if you save one life, you save all of humanity. At SHINE Humanity, we strongly believe that if we have been blessed with enough resources, then it is our duty to give back to society and help those in need.
We began our mission by identifying the people of Sindh, who are in dire need of a strong healthcare system, as none exists currently. Almost all of the patients who visit our clinics are eligible for Zakat, which we verify through our Shariah system. The services we provide are at almost no cost to the patients, including qualified doctor consultations, free medicines, lab tests, ultrasounds, and treatment for chronic and severe diseases.
In addition to our clinical services, we have a robust community health workers program through which we provide health education and basic awareness door-to-door in rural communities. Where needed, we also install RO plants to provide free and clean drinking water to the people.
Through our efforts, our goal extends beyond saving individual lives. We aim to uplift entire communities as much as possible, working towards a better and healthier future for all. As they say, charity begins at home, and we are proud to be making a difference in the lives of our fellow Pakistanis.
PAGE: Could you tell me about the monetary requirements of your organization over the course of next one year?
Kalbe Abbas Dharamsey: Through all of its clinics and operations, SHINE Humanity treats more than 6,000 patients every month, with an operational cost of approximately PKR 7.5 million per month. This amounts to a yearly cost of around PKR 90 million, which includes medication, laboratory expenses, project staff, and administrative costs.
PAGE: Could you tell us about donation and zakat sent by Pakistani diaspora?
Kalbe Abbas Dharamsey: SHINE Humanity was started by a group of Pakistani-American doctors who engage in philanthropic work to give back to their homeland. Around 65% of the funds are raised through them, as well as through Pakistanis residing in the USA and to some extent, through Canada. The remaining 35% is generated locally through partner organizations or by direct sponsorship of clinics.
However, we have yet to receive significant support from our Pakistani brethren residing in the Middle East and Gulf countries. They can play a crucial role in donating or collaborating with us to reach rural areas farther out into Pakistan, where there is a lack of access to primary healthcare. Their support can help us expand our reach and provide vital healthcare services to those in need.
PAGE: How are charitable organizations being helped by the government?
Kalbe Abbas Dharamsey: Even though poverty and lack of healthcare infrastructure affect most of rural Pakistan, Sindh is the most affected region, and despite our efforts, we have barely made a dent in the situation. However, the government has been very supportive by providing registration and compliance support, allowing us to import duty-free medicines and medical equipment donated by hospitals and donors abroad, and providing permission to use government-owned spaces for our clinics and flood medical camps. Additionally, the NGO laws and compliance regulations have helped us to become transparent in our funds and operations management and given us the confidence to proudly showcase our work.
We appeal to you to help us reach our goal of treating 100,000 deserving people in rural areas for free this year. You can do so by donating or spreading the word in your network. Please visit our website at www.shinehumanity.org/donate for donation details.