KARACHI: The Sindh Government has announced plans to upgrade the emergency wards of major hospitals across the province to address the growing number of patients. Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, chaired a high-level meeting to discuss this urgent healthcare reform initiative.
The meeting was attended by senior health officials, including Health Secretary Rehan Iqbal Baloach, Executive Director of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) Prof. Shahid Rasool, Executive Director of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Trauma Centre Dr. Muhammad Sabir Memon, MS Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital Syed Khalid Bukhari, Director of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Dr. Faisal Samdani, and other key administrators. Discussions focused on improving the accessibility, quality, and efficiency of emergency healthcare services in Sindh.
Chief Secretary Shah emphasized the commitment of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to implement people-centric reforms in the health sector. The initiative aims to ensure timely and effective emergency care in response to the increasing patient load.
Findings from a comprehensive data collection exercise presented during the meeting highlighted the immense pressure on emergency wards.
JPMC handles around 2,000 patients daily, amounting to 60,000 monthly.
Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital manages 1,800 patients daily, totaling 54,000 monthly.
Other facilities, such as Sindh Government Lyari General Hospital and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma, also report high daily volumes.
Overall, Sindh’s public hospitals collectively manage approximately 10,000 emergency patients daily, exceeding 299,400 patients per month.
Chief Secretary Shah directed hospital administrators to draft detailed plans outlining the specific upgrades needed for emergency wards. The Sindh Government has assured its full support in terms of financial resources, human resource hiring, and procurement of advanced medical equipment.
Hospital administrators welcomed the initiative and provided recommendations based on their facility's requirements. Shah assured swift approval of submitted plans to expedite the transformation process.
The Chief Secretary reiterated the Sindh Government’s unwavering dedication to improving healthcare, particularly in emergencies, to provide timely and high-quality medical services. These upgrades are expected to significantly enhance the province's healthcare capacity, benefiting patients across Sindh.