The An-Nisa Foundation was founded by Dr. Sumera Haque as a dedication to her mother, Qamar An Nisa, who battled a brain tumor and Parkinson’s Disease for 15 years, before ultimtately passing away. Growing up in Pakistan and witnessing her mother’s struggle with these ailments ignited Dr. Haque’s passion for access to quality healthcare for women and vulnerable communities.
Throughout her medical career across the United States, South Asia and Middle East, Dr. Haque has continued to observe a glaring disparity in the investment and resources allocated to women’s health between developed and developing nations. Whether its for-profit hospitals or a universal access system, global north medical systems prioritize integrating medicine and expanding healthcare access, whereas global south countries like Pakistan suffer from a lack of basic investment in their healthcare sectors.
According to Globocon 2022, breast cancer stands out as the primary cause of cancer-related deaths in Pakistan. Estimates suggest approximately 83,000 new cases annually, and with the population continuing to grow, there’s a looming healthcare crisis on the horizon while achieving comprehensive women’s health remains a distant dream.
Additionally, there is a major urban-rural divide to healthcare access. While urban areas in Pakistan may boast large hospitals and numerous health facilities, the challenge of access to basic health services persists in rural areas, which contain 62% of the population. Women in these regions encounter significant barriers in accessing basic healthcare, from awareness and screening to prevention and treatment.
Motivated by her personal story and Pakistan’s challenges, Dr. Haque has established a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting rural women’s health initiatives in her homeland by providing local training, technical guidance, care coordination and facilitating funding streams. The An-Nisa Foundation endeavors to educate and empower rural women to become champions of their health.
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