Meet Our Staff: Dr Aasim Yusuf

Dr Aasim: “Thirty years on, we’re proud to say that there has never been a single day when we were unable to remain true to our mission of providing world-class cancer care to all our patients, irrespective of their ability to pay.”

Dr Aasim Yusuf is the Chief Medical Officer at Shaukat Khanum Hospitals. He joined a few weeks before the Lahore hospital opened in 1994, making him the longest serving staff member. We spoke to him about his role and his reflections on 30 years of service.

What inspired you to join the new hospital in Lahore?

“I shall always remember coming in for my first day, the 1st of December, 1994, and being taken to see two empty, unfinished rooms with bare walls, which I was told was to be the Endoscopy Unit.

“Most doctors start work at an established hospital and just slot themselves in. However, I was incredibly lucky to join a month before the Lahore hospital opened, as this allowed me to play a small part in the development and commissioning of this incredible facility.”

What key challenges did you overcome in the early days?

“There were numerous challenges, including the fact that there was very little money left to actually run the hospital and treat patients for free. It is nothing short of a miracle that we survived those early days. Thirty years on, we’re proud to say that there has never been a single day when we were unable to remain true to our mission of providing world-class cancer care to all our patients, irrespective of their ability to pay.

“Another enormous challenge was electricity connection. For the first seven months of operations, we ran the entire hospital on two large generators. In a building designed for central air-conditioning, in which the windows could not be opened, we worked through the Lahore summer with only a few pedestal fans in our clinics.

“Many a time, it was unclear whether there would be enough money left to pay staff salaries. During one particularly difficult period, Imran Khan, who was for the longest time, the single largest donor to the hospital, donated the plot of land he had been given by a grateful nation for winning the cricket World Cup. Proceeds from its sale were used to pay the staff.”

How has your role at Shaukat Khanum Hospitals evolved over the years?

“The decision taken around 2010, to make our second hospital, in Peshawar, afforded me the opportunity to be much more involved in the design, construction and commissioning of this huge project. Today, this hospital offers all the essential cancer diagnostic and treatment services that we have in Lahore.”

What are your proudest achievements in leading the medical team?

“Over the years, we’ve won many awards and accolades. For example, we achieved the Joint Commission International accreditation for Lahore in 2018, and for Peshawar in 2019. Then, in 2022, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital became only the second organisation in the world to obtain JCI Enterprise accreditation for our entire organisation. These are huge achievements, and a testament to the belief that in Pakistan, we can do anything we set our minds to.”

How can Ramadan donations help expand cancer support in Pakistan?

“Our third, and Pakistan’s largest cancer hospital is currently under construction, in Karachi. The physical structure is complete, and I have no doubt that with the continued support of the people of Pakistan and the rest of the world, we will be able to complete, equip and inaugurate this facility. Together, we will continue Imran Khan’s dream of providing world-class cancer care to all the citizens of Pakistan.”

This year, as Shaukat Khanum Hospitals celebrate 30 years of service, our founder is unable to make an appeal to mark this significant milestone. In his absence, we hope you will continue to support our patients and move us a step closer to opening a new hospital in Karachi.