Daily Times

KARACHI: In a ‘one rupee per head charity drive’ first of its kind launched by a team of entrepreneurs to save the life of a Karachi-based doctor has attracted the attention of general public on social media.

The campaign has been launched in backdrop of Dr Sardar Rathore, who was recently working as an anesthesiologist at Civil Hospital Karachi.

He was diagnosed with a Giant Vertebro-Basilar Junction Aneurysm (brain ailment) in August 2015. Sardar underwent through three procedures in St. Luke Hospital Houston, Texas and in a local hospital in Karachi. He has been on ventilator support since then.

According to medical his reports, aneurysm is extremely rare and placed inside his brain. It has expanded into a giant aneurysm and his treatment is only possible in San Francisco.

Current health report of Sardar’s condition is threatening and needs an urgent surgical procedure.

According to his, the estimated treatment charges come around Rs 25 million. He requires treatment under supervision of Dr Michael Lawton of University of California, San Francisco.

In a move to collect funds, Dr Nousheen Zakaria (Ph.D), a business magnet initiated ‘#1rupeecampaign’ through the platform of BeKarachi.com to support locals, budding entrepreneurs, start-ups, as well as people in need.

Snapchat stories were filmed and awareness was created through blogs and articles, sharing it on social media platforms. The concept simply encourages general public to donate one rupee only contribution in fundraising.

“The idea is simple. Population of Karachi is around 25 million. If each one of us can pool just a rupee, we can get the target of Rs 25 million to save doctor’s life,” Dr Nousheen said.

“If all people start pooling in the target could be achieved. When it comes to charity, Karachiites have a big heart,” she added.

According to Sardar’s family, their savings have been exhausted in his treatment. In a parallel move, family and friends of Dr Sardar also started campaign #SaveSardar in order to collect funds for him to get treated abroad.

“So far, a handsome amount has already been collected through social media campaign,” said Narendar Rathore, brother of Dr Sardfar. “However we need the rest of the amount quickly so that Sardar could be moved to Houston without wasting any time,” he added.