Family Controls My Salary – How to Get Money for Medical Treatment

That is a very hard place to be – needing treatment and not having control over your own money. You are not alone in this; many people in Pakistan face similar family dynamics where a salary is held by someone else. Let me share some places you can try for direct help with medicines, and one or two ways to approach the situation with your family.

• Government hospital welfare offices – Most large teaching hospitals (like Jinnah, Mayo, or Civil Hospital) have a social welfare department or patient welfare fund. Go there, explain your situation, and ask if they can provide your medicines free or at a reduced cost. They often have a stock of common medications.
• NGO medicine assistance – Organisations like the Edhi Foundation, Saylani Welfare, and many local zakat committees run medicine distribution programmes. You can visit their nearest centre or call them to ask about their process. Some also provide cash assistance for treatment if you have a doctor’s prescription.
• Pharmaceutical patient assistance – Some companies offer free medicines for chronic conditions (e.g., for depression, diabetes, heart disease) if you meet their criteria. Ask your doctor if they know of such a programme for the medicine you need – they can often help with the application.
• Employer advance or loan – If you are currently working, ask your employer for a small advance against your salary, explaining it is for urgent medical treatment. Even a few thousand rupees can buy a month’s supply of many medicines.
• Bring a mediator to your family – If you feel safe doing so, ask a trusted elder, a religious leader, or a respected relative to speak with your family. They can explain that withholding money for treatment is not just unkind – it can make your condition worse and cost more in the long run. Sometimes a third person can break the deadlock.

It is genuinely difficult when the people who are supposed to support you are the ones blocking your treatment. You are right to want to take care of your health. If talking to your family feels impossible right now, start with the hospital welfare office – that is often the quickest route to free medicines. And if you need someone to talk to while you figure this out, Zara is here, whenever you need.