PINE BLUFF: A Pakistani American doctor has forgiven $650,000 in outstanding debt from 200 cancer patients.
Dr. Omar Atiq, originally from Pakistan, said, “I hope this note finds you well. The Arkansas Cancer Clinic was proud to serve 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, he tweeted.
“Unfortunately, that is the way our health care system currently works. Arkansas Cancer Clinic is closing its practice after over 29 years of dedicated service to the community, Dr. Omar Atiq added. The clinic has decided to forego all balances owed to the clinic by its patients. Happy Holidays, he wrote.
“I am just a regular physician — a regular person that they have in the neighborhood — just so happens to be me standing here,” Dr. Atiq said. “I love [my patients], I care for them, and I am glad I was able to do a little bit at this point for them,” the oncologist said.
Working on a sweet story tonight.
Around 200 cancer patients in Pine Bluff got this holiday card a few days ago— Dr. Omar Atiq who founded the Arkansas Cancer Clinic is forgiving all outstanding debts owed by patients.
He says they wiped away bills totaling around $650,000. pic.twitter.com/IHnQ3IAv15
— Hunter Hoagland (@HunterHoagland) December 30, 2020
Dr. Omar Atiq is an oncologist who founded the Arkansas Cancer Institute in Pine Bluff in 1991. The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Center is a partnership between Arkansas Urology and AKSM/Oncology, a national provider of IMRT/IGRT treatment for prostate cancer.
