Patient Stories

The IDEA team is in Pakistan from October 4–8, 2026, for a five-day humanitarian medical mission in collaboration with Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) and APPNA. This marks the team’s second medical mission with IHHN, with volunteer specialist doctors working at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Hospital (RTEH), Muzaffargarh. The Mission The mission focuses on providing free specialised vascular care to...

A child laughs in the middle of a hospital corridor. For a moment, there is no treatment, no diagnosis, no uncertainty. Just a child being a child. In paediatric oncology, moments like these can be easy to overlook. Yet for the children, families and healthcare teams who experience them, they can mean everything. Cancer changes a child’s routine overnight. Hospital...

The fever came on suddenly, in the middle of an ordinary school day, the kind of day Muhib had known a thousand times before. By evening, his mother Uroosa was watching doctors run test after test, her hands cold, her mind racing toward every possibility except the one she was about to hear.  Cancer.  The word landed on her like...

Some classrooms have whiteboards. Others have hospital beds nearby. For Muhammad Sadiq, learning today looks a little different than it once did. His school bag now shares space with treatment schedules, doctor's appointments, and chemotherapy sessions. Yet despite everything, he is still, above all else, a student—a young boy whose future is filled with lessons to learn, dreams to chase,...

For Naheed Akhtar, a resident of Karachi's SITE Area, everyday life gradually became overshadowed by a health condition she could neither understand nor control. What began as prolonged menstruation soon turned into uncontrolled bleeding that refused to stop, leaving her physically exhausted and emotionally drained. As her condition worsened, even the simplest daily tasks became increasingly difficult. Finding the right...

"Thanks to Almighty a million times over! I was not aware that I had hepatitis, but the doctors at IHHN were kind enough to conduct the tests." — Nasrullah Khan When Nasrullah Khan, a resident of Shah Latif Town, Karachi, visited IHHN, hepatitis was the last thing on his mind. He had come seeking treatment for pain in his leg....

When Mohammad Shahzain was diagnosed with blood cancer in Sukkur, his family found themselves facing uncertainty and searching for answers. Like many parents confronted with a child’s illness, his mother set out with one goal in mind; finding the treatment her son needed to ensure a healthier life ahead. It was during this search that they came across IHHN. Leaving...

Muhammad Saghir, a cardiac patient from Pakistan, recalls a difficult and uncertain period in his life. After being diagnosed with a serious heart condition, he was advised at another hospital to undergo bypass surgery—a procedure that was financially far beyond his reach. The recommendation left him anxious and unsure about his future, prompting him to continue his search for a...

When the diagnosis first arrived, it brought with it great uncertainty for Hadia and her family. In many parts of the world, a cancer diagnosis is not just a health crisis; it is a financial one. After initially seeking help at Sir Syed Hospital, the complexity of her condition required a specialized level of intervention. It was then that her...

For Farzana and her family, healthcare has always felt like a distant privilege, something meant for those who could afford long journeys and expensive treatment. Living in a modest household near Makli, financial hardship often forced them to ignore illness until it became unbearable. “Treatment elsewhere is simply not possible for us.” Farzana first visited the Indus Hospital & Health...

Mohammad Riaz has lived with diabetes for most of his adult life. Thirteen years ago, when his health began to decline, he found his way to IHHN, a place that would later become his lifeline. The illness took more than his strength. Due to complications, one of his legs had to be amputated below the knees. For a man with...

Ramzana’s first encounter with the Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) began in a moment of profound grief. She arrived at the facility during a miscarriage, a time when she was physically and emotionally vulnerable. In those dark hours, it wasn't just the medical care that sustained her, it was the compassion of the staff who stood by her. When...

At just 17 years old, Ajmal from Shikarpur carried responsibilities far beyond his years. Working in agriculture to help support his family, his days were divided between the fields and his education—until a single accident changed everything. Two years ago, Ajmal slipped and suffered a serious knee injury that left him unable to walk comfortably, work on the farm, or...

Shahwaiz Yousuf, a 70-year-old resident of North Nazimabad, spent more than ten years living with chronic knee pain that gradually limited his mobility and independence. Everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and staying active became increasingly difficult. Over time, the pain prevented him from attending Friday prayers at the mosque and comfortably performing his daily routines at home. In...

At just two years old, Maroos Faris should have been responding to her name, laughing at familiar voices, and learning her first words. But when she turned one, her parents noticed something unsettling: Maroos did not respond when her name was called. Living in Gadap Town, Karachi, her family grew increasingly worried. After seeking medical advice, Maroos underwent a hearing...

When Silence Spoke Louder Than Words Tahir, a devoted father from Karachi, began to worry when his three-year-old son, Abdullah, didn’t respond to sounds the way other children did. On family outings, Tahir’s brother noticed the same,  Abdullah wouldn’t react to voices or noise around him. What began as concern soon turned into heartbreak when a visit to their local...

A Family’s Journey from Fear to Hope When young Fatima first complained of persistent throat pain and difficulty eating, her family believed it was a minor illness. But as her condition worsened, her brother, Mohammad Khizer, grew increasingly anxious. Seeking answers, he brought her from their hometown in Chakwal to Rawalpindi for further evaluation. The diagnosis of blood cancer shattered...

The morning began like any other in the remote hills of Humai village, nestled in the vast expanse of Chaghi District, Balochistan. For Riaz, a 32-year-old, it was supposed to be another day tending to his daily chores. But as he stepped carefully through the terrain, his world changed in an instant. The strike came without warning—a flash of movement,...

Mehwish, a 29-year-old mother of two, has a special connection with Indus Hospital & Health Network. Her father-in-law received life-saving treatment for diabetes and a heart bypass there 12 years ago, and now Mehwish has chosen IHHN for the birth of both her children. Mehwish's youngest son, Zaviar, is just two months old, with her older son being six years...

Rimsha, a 22-year-old mother, had almost lost hope of becoming a mother. After two miscarriages, she had begun to worry that she might never experience the joy of parenthood. But after visiting Indus Hospital & Health Network for check-ups, she became pregnant and then gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Muhammad Waheed. Originally from Punjab, Rimsha moved to Karachi…

Badr Un Nisa’s feet had been a source of pain and discomfort for what felt like an eternity. Simple tasks, like walking to the nearby shops for basic necessities, had become daunting challenges. Initially, the pain was low intensity, so she would manage it with medication. However, the pain did not subside over time and instead gradually worsened, rendering her…

When Kashif Imtiaz was just 16 years old, he discovered he had a debilitating disease that would go on to affect his mobility and quality of life for decades to come. As Kashif entered his mid-30s, the disease began to take its toll. Simple tasks like walking became a struggle, and he was constantly in pain. Medications provided temporary relief,…

Shabana Muhammad Ali, a devoted mother of two, credits Indus Hospital & Health Network with transforming her life. Her sister’s recommendation led her to the hospital during her third month of pregnancy. At the time, Shabana was struggling with severe weakness, vomiting, and anaemia. Her condition had deteriorated to the point where she couldn’t perform daily tasks, care for her…

Abdul Hadi’s fever wouldn’t break, and weeks turned into months as his mother’s worry grew with each passing day. The countless visits to various doctors proved futile as no medication or antibiotics seemed to quell her son’s fever. Whenever the fever subsided, his mother Zoobia felt a fleeting moment of relief, until it returned stronger and more persistent than before….

Muneeba’s birth had been complicated, and she was weak as a newborn. Her father, Muhammad Yunus started noticing issues in her responsiveness, and had an inkling she had hearing loss. Her parents had hoped that her hearing issues would resolve on their own, but as time passed, it became clear that something was amiss. A visit to the doctor confirmed…

Ayesha, a mother of five, embarked on a journey to Indus Hospital & Health Network’s Sheikh Saeed Memorial Trust Hospital in Korangi, seeking a safe haven for the birth of her fifth child. Her previous experiences at previous hospitals had left her with accumulating medical bills, making her search for a more viable option. Fortunately, her previous hospital referred her…

Muhammad Ibrahim was just 8 months old when his parents started to notice signs that something was different. Unlike other children, his parents perceived his unresponsiveness to any sound, including his name. Fearing the worst, they sought screening tests to discover what the issue was. The test results revealed what his parents knew but feared, Muhammad Ibrahim suffered from hearing...

In a small village in Punjab, a young boy named Abbas had been suffering from unbearable leg pain that left him unable to play with his friends. His parents, Ali and Samina, were worried sick about their child's health. But as daily wage earners, they couldn't afford the medical treatment Abbas desperately needed. Samina, a devoted mother, would pray every...

Sitting at a local shrine near her house, Naziran Mai silently prayed for her unborn child’s safety. Frequenting the shrine since she was a child, she would offer thanks, ask for forgiveness, and acknowledge the blessings in her life. But now, she prostrated and begged out of sheer desperation. Naziran lived in the small city of Kacha Razi, located in...

Seven years ago, Fauzia stepped into Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), nervous and excited, as she was about to give birth to her precious son. Little did she know, this hospital would become a beacon of hope for her once again. After her son's birth, Fauzia dreamt of hearing the cries of a newborn again. Unfortunately, she struggled to...

In the rich tapestry of Sindh’s farmlands, Tahira’s vibrant spirit was a beacon of joy. But at just three years old, her life took an unforeseen turn. Her whole family came down with a seasonal flu, from which everyone recovered except little Tahira. Days turned to weeks, and the fever was accompanied by nosebleeds, a lethargy, and a persistent cough….

In a small, close-knit village where everyone knew each other's struggles, two-year-old Shan Ali's vibrant presence began to fade as illness took hold. With a persistent fever, cough, and weakening diarrhea, concern quickly grew within his family. His parents, bearing the weight of underprivileged circumstances and working diligently for daily wages, sensed an urgency they couldn't ignore. Seeking answers and...

In a small town in Karachi,  the life of a 5-year-old boy named Ethan hung in the balance. Ethan was a bundle of energy, always playful and full of life. But one day, Ethan’s laughter, that once echoed through his home was replaced by the relentless, desperate sound of coughing.  Ethan’s mother sensed that this wasn’t a normal cough. She…

10-year-old Nehal from North Karachi, was a passionate athlete – whether it was cricket or football, Nehal’s afternoons in the hot Karachi sun were spent playing with his friends in the gully and recounting his colourful stories from the field to his parents at dinner time. However, all of this would soon come crashing down as Nehal – the pride and joy...

“The doctors and nurses at Indus Hospital supported me through every step and every fall I took. They took care of me like family and made sure I didn’t give up. When cancer took my life away, the medical staff at Indus gave it back to me.” It started as swelling in his right leg, just above his knee. At...

A nurse by profession, Farhana was all too aware of the difficulties families faced when dealing with pregnancies. She was used to providing patients and their loved ones with guidance and comfort through this complicated and often stressful period. Despite this, she never once considered who would be there for her in her time of need. Residing in the nearby...

Three-year-old Abdul Ahad had been on his way to a wedding with his family when he met with a terrible traffic accident. A truck collided with his father’s bike, killing his brother and injuring his mother and another brother. Ahad himself was severely injured with both his legs crushed. Ahad went through extensive surgeries but he couldn’t walk again without...

Being told you have cancer and might not survive should shake you, but Minahil,17 years of age at the time, went completely numb. All she could think of was how she would console her sobbing mother. A part of her refused to believe what had just happened. Hugging her mother, Minahil resolved to refuse treatment. She didn’t want to be...

Fearing the future is normal for most 16-year-olds, but those fears usually get resolved without lasting implications. For Faizan, the fear of the future was a much more serious and life-altering affair. Faizan had started to lose his hearing from a very young age, struggling at school, at home and among friends. “There was a growing gap between me and...

“I turned 18 this year. All my life I always thought that good quality healthcare was something reserved only for the very rich. I had accepted that it is not something I will ever be able to have access to. There was no health facility in the Kachhaa (slum) area on River Indus in Sindh (Pakistan), and if someone was...

Giving birth is one of the most difficult experiences for any woman. Naturally I too was scared and wanted to be around my family for the birth of my son. I delivered my daughter three years ago in Karachi, away from my entire family. I was so alone. So this time, for my son’s birth I traveled to Bhong (Southern...

“It started with a cough followed by headaches and fatigue. I did not pay too much heed to it, I had 6 young children and a husband to look after. But, soon my condition deteriorated so much so that even wrapping a dupatta (scarf) on my head was a struggle. My husband, who worked day and night at construction sites...

It was a bright sunny morning of January 08, 2017, in Burro Rehri, Sindh, Pakistan. Muneeb ur Rehman, the youngest of 16 siblings and a grade 3 student, woke up with memories of a beautiful dream. Not knowing what the day will bring for him, he had breakfast and went out to play cricket with his friends. While playing outside...

“Whenever the hospital would call and tell us our Huda had gotten worse, I would just break down and pray that nothing happens to my daughter.” A complete surprise to her parents, baby Huda arrived prematurely. Unfortunately, the hospital where she was born had no oxygen for her to breathe properly. Desperate for help, Huda’s family looked everywhere. Then, they...

“After I received my diagnosis, everyone started leaving me except for my mother and a few close friends. I felt like it was all my fault and that I deserved it. But my mother and the nurses at Indus Hospital & Health Network gave me the strength to persevere. Together, we have endured every hardship and celebrated every success together,...

“I felt no medicine had a cure for my body pain, stomach ache, and fever. I had almost given up on living a healthy life until that one door knock by health workers from Indus Hospital changed my life and health for the better.” Sakeena Bibi is a 45-year-old woman who grew up amidst a large joint family of farmers...