KanwalKanwal

At the age of nine Kanwal began to suffer from rickets. Despite sever financial difficulties, her parents had her treated at a private hospital in Karachi, however five years later, and she was operated upon, and recovered. However after her operation, it was discovered that Kanwal was suffering from end stage renal failure.

Because Kanwal's family had already spent a considerable amount of money on her rickets treatment, they wee unable to have her treated further at a private hospital. One of Kanwal's doctors advised her parents to take her to SIUT, where the treatment would be free. Once admitted there, Kanwal was placed on dialysis for two years. Her mother donated her kidney and in 2001, at the age of 16, Kanwal underwent a transplant.

Kanwal's father is a van driver, and the only earning member of a family comprising of Kanwal's mother and two school going brothers. After spending more money than he could afford over Kanwal's rickets' treatment, sending her to school was no longer an option.

For Kanwal's well being this was very bad news. Having endured rickets, followed y two years of dialysis and then a kidney transplant, she had been deprived of a normal life, and of any interaction with other children of her own age. As a result, after her transplant, Kanwal became restless and depressed, compromising her chances of making a full recovery.

This is when SIUT stepped in.

Our Patient Welfare Department gently persuaded Kanwal's parents to allow Kanwal to complete her Intermediate Certificate privately, stressing that if Kanwal lift her spirits and eventually enable her to help her family financially.

In response to the family's fianancial difficulties, SIUT undertook to finance Kanwal's education, also providing her with a stipend to cover transport costs and a healthy diet.

Taking the long-term view, SIUT encouraged Kanwal to take a beautician's course (something Kanwal showed and aptitude for) at SIUT Rehabilitation Centre while also studying for her Intermediate Certificate.

Soon Kanwal's spirits began to soar as she became more confident and outoing.

Once her studies were over, Kanwal. With SIUT's support joined the Khata Bhai Institute where she learn how to become a professional beautician.

Today, Kanwal has a job at a beauty parlor. She also teaches transplant patients at SIUT's Rehabilitation Centre the skills that she learnt, so, that they can, like her, now lead normal, healthy, happy lives.