Houstonian Corner (V11-I9)

Need 7-Days Shifa Clinic: Initiative Presented at Shifa Foundation Annual Dinner

Annual Dinner of Houston Shifa Foundation (HSF), a Not-For-Profit 501 C, was held at the stylish Vargo’s Restaurant in Houston. Keynote Speakers included Houston Mayor Bill White, who lauded the efforts of HSF in the field of community health and rehabilitation of ex-offenders and Nobel Laureate Dr. Ferid Murad, who made an interesting video on how and why he got the Noble Prize and then he made a verbal presentation on Scientific Research to instill interest in the community to enter the arena of Research-&-Development (R-&-D).

Also spoke on the occasion included City of Houston Councilperson M. J. Khan, HSF Board Members Laeeq A. Khan, Dr. Waseem Khan, Dr. Moien R. Butt, Dr. Azam Kundi, Attorney Naomi Hussein and Dr. Rizwan Naeem (Emcee).

Both the distinguished guests Mayor White and Dr. Murad received bouquets of flowers.

“Humanity will be well-served and $125,000 is needed to start five weekdays Shifa Clinic with Registered Nurse and another Staff Member” appealed Dr. Azam Kundi, as he informed that the community needs are urgent for this purpose.

A large gathering of prominent community leaders, physicians, professionals and entrepreneurs attended this $1,000 Per Couple Dinner.

As everyone is well aware, HSF is helping and serving indigent Houstonians for more than a decade: Shifa means Healing. HSF provides many needed services including healthcare, legal advice, adult and child education, family crisis intervention, social rehab for ex-offenders and low income housing. The services are supported by nearly 200 volunteers, who not only give their time and talent, but also contribute personal funds.

In the health care field, HSF currently operates 3 all volunteer clinics in Champion Forrest, Southwest Houston and Clear Lake areas and a fourth clinic is about to start serving community in Bear Creek area. In 2008 Good Neighbor Clinic donated a movable clinic building for Shifa Salam Clinic at Champion Forrest location. Shifa Healthcare Services has benefited over 20,000 people.

Some of the HSF’s working partners include the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Kelsey Seybold Clinic, The Rose Foundation, Network of Strength, Novo Nordisk (For Supply of Insulin), WebMed, Gateway to Care, Hope Clinic, Texas Children’s Defense Fund, American Cancer Society, Bone Marrow Registry, Health Fairs  Chinese Community, CHIP registration day for underserved families and others.

Since 2005, the City of Houston has awarded $800,000 for State-of-the-Art Community Center. Mayor Bill White performed opening ceremony of the Shifa Community Service Center in 2008.

HSF has also received a 1.50-Million Dollars Federal Grant through City of Houston for construction of a low income housing project at West Belfort Avenue. First section of this multi-building complex is in final stage of completion and apartments will be offered to low income family as early as February 2009.

The City of Houston has also approved HSF for another similar project and so far has approved a total of $150,000 to cover Shifa office expenses and pre-development costs.

HSF has received a number of government/corporate donations/grants through the efforts of our volunteers; like the Memorial Hermann Hospital $3,000 on behalf of Physician of the Year Award to Dr. Maqbool Haque; the City of Houston $2,000 Employee designated donations; Hewled Packard giving one LCD computer monitor as part of their Community Service Contribution Program through the efforts of Samina Quddus, Esq.; Chevron donated $ 1,000 for community service by Kamran Sabir; Good Neighbors Clinic donated a movable clinic building consisting of a 2,000 SF double wide trailer, through the efforts made by Dr. Azam Kundi; Kelsey Seybold Clinic donated all furniture, including exam tables through Dr. Azam Kundi undertaking.

HSF is governed by a Board of Directors that consists of 12 members. Directors and officers of Shifa Foundation receive no monetary compensation for their work at Shifa Foundation.

Shifa Foundation’s next goal is to start a seven day clinic to be eligible for the federal health grants.

For more information, one can visit HSF office at 8303 S.W. Freeway – Suite 575 – Houston – Texas 77074 – Phone: 713.779.1555 – Fax: 713.779.1483 – E-Mail: ShifaClinicHouston@GMail.Com – Web-Page: www.ShifaClinicHouston.Org – Main Clinic Located At: 10415 Synott Road – Building D – Sugar Land – Texas 77478 – Phone: 281.561.5767 – Fax: 281.561.5759.