KashmalaKashmala

Kashmala is 17 years old. Eight years ago, at the age of nine, Kashmala started suffering from a chronic kidney infection. As she was living in Multan, she was treated at a small hospital there. Unable to diagnose her condition correctly; her doctors concluded that she was suffering from kidney stones. As a result, she lived in pain for more than four years.

Finally in 2003, one of her doctors in Multan suggested to Kashmala's parents that they go to Karachi and seek further treatment from SIUT. Once admitted at SIUT, Kashmala was diagnosed with end stage renal failure.

Unfortunately neither of Kashmala's parents was able to donate a kidney, her mother, it turned out, was suffering from Hepatitis C while her father had chronic hypertension and diabetes. As a result, Kashmala was put on dialysis and her name was placed on SIUT's transplant list, pending finding a donor.

Four years later, Kashamaala finally had her transplant, when she was given a kidney from an SIUT donor, the late Abdul Razzak Memon, Professor of Pathology at Sindh Meidcal College.

But as is so often the case, Kashmala had other issues to contend with. Her parents were both chronicle ill and unable to work. The burden of responsibility therefore fell on the shoulders on Kahsmala's two brothers, aged 18 and 20, who were left to struggle to support their parents Kashmala and two younger sisters.

In these circumstances, the chances of Kashmala's brothers being able to provide their sister with the healthy diet, she required to make for transplant a success, were completely non-existent. It seemed that the benefits of a successful transplant would be compromised by her post surgery circumstances.

This is when SIUT stepped in.

To equip Kasmala with a means to earn an income that would supplement the efforts of her brothers. SIUT gave Kashmala the opportunity of working at Rehabilitation Centre during her pre-transplant phase. Here, everyday she stitched clothes for a few hours, for which she earned a stipend that paid for her daily transport and food expenses.

Kashmala was also given the opportunity to enrolled in computer classes at the SIUT Rehabilitation Centre where she was able to learn skills that would be beneficial to her future.

Today, Kashmala has regained her health and is back at school Her link with SIUT remains as she is now taking a beautician's course at SIUT's rehabilitation Centre. Her goal is to get a job as soon as she completes school, thereby continuing to support her family.