New year gift: Pakistani-origin doctor forgives $650,000 debt of cancer patients in US city
By
Dr Omar Atiq. File photo
A Pakistani-origin oncologist in Arkansas forgave more than half a million dollars in outstanding debts form nearly 200 cancer patients.
The Arkansas Clinic, founded by Dr Omar Atiq in 1991, provided cancer treatments ranging from chemotherapy and radiation therapy and tests such as CAT scans. It had to shut its doors in February 2020 due to a shortage of staff.
Earlier this week, the clinic sent out holiday greetings and told patients that any outstanding bills would no longer need to be paid. I hope this note finds you well, wrote Dr Atiq. The Arkansas Cancer Clinic was proud to have you as a patient. Although various health insurances pay most of the bills for the majority of patients, even the deductibles and co-pays can be burdensome.