Karachi cardiac unit to save thousands

A significant expansion in cardiac emergency care has been marked by the inauguration of a new 100-bed facility at Karachi's National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD). This state-of-the-art unit, a collaborative project involving the provincial government, NICVD Patients' Aid Foundation, and Hilton Pharma, is projected for completion in approximately eight months. Its development is set to enhance the NICVD's capability to offer critical, free cardiac treatment.

The new unit, designed to accommodate a triage, resuscitation, and critical care unit, among other essential services, will alleviate the strain on the current emergency department. This department currently serves between 1,000 and 1,200 patients daily from across Pakistan. The NICVD has demonstrated substantial growth, treating over 1.6 million patients in 2025, with a significant number originating from outside Sindh, highlighting its national importance.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah emphasized the project's life-saving potential and its role in strengthening Pakistan's premier cardiac care institution. He also noted the ongoing construction of a separate seven-storey, 300-bed pediatric cardiac unit. The provincial government's commitment to sustaining and expanding healthcare institutions like NICVD, even after their transfer post-18th Amendment, underscores a dedication to public health through public-private partnerships.