In a major step toward ensuring better healthcare for journalists, the Karachi Press Club (KPC) and Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) have agreed to collaborate on providing affordable and accessible medical services for KPC members and their families.
During a visit to the Karachi Press Club, Dr. Salman Faridi, Medical Director of Liaquat National Hospital, emphasized the hospitals commitment to offering subsidized treatment, organizing medical camps at the Press Club, and launching certified courses for health reporters. He was welcomed by KPC President Fazil Jamili, Secretary Sohail Afzal Khan, Joint Secretary Khwaja Muhammad Munsif, and Health Committee Secretary Hamid-ur-Rehman, along with other senior journalists and medical professionals, including Assistant Medical Director Prof. Saleha Shehzad and LNH Head of Press & Media Amjad Rizvi.
Dr. Faridi praised the Karachi Press Club as a symbol of democratic values and freedom of the press. Reflecting on his student days, he shared memories of visiting the club and described journalism as the fourth pillar of the state. The KPC has always been a torchbearer of press freedom and has played a vital role in humanitarian and social welfare efforts, he said.
He also expressed concern over the spread of misinformation on social media, stressing the need for journalists to play a key role in educating the public and promoting truth. My vision is to establish a strong partnership between Liaquat National Hospital and the Karachi Press Club to expand health awareness campaigns and provide quality healthcare services to the journalist community, he stated.
KPC President Fazil Jamili welcomed Dr. Faridi and his team, noting that the Press Club is actively working on improving healthcare access for journalists and their families. The Press Club not only champions press freedom but also upholds democratic values. The welfare of our journalist community is a top priority, and we are expanding access to essential services, including healthcare, he said.
Secretary Sohail Afzal Khan highlighted the financial difficulties faced by many journalists due to irregular payments from media organizations. In these challenging times, KPC is taking responsibility for ensuring that its members receive proper healthcare support, he said.
This collaboration marks a positive step toward enhancing the well-being of journalists and strengthening the role of institutions that support press freedom and democratic values in Pakistan.