Sharjeel counters MQM chief’s criticism of Karachi’s health facilities

KARACHI: Sindh government has made substantial investment to improve Karachi’s major hospitals since their devolution in 2011-12, with a total allocation of Rs157.733 billion for upgrades and patient services in these healthcare facilities.

Senior Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon said in a statement, firmly rejecting allegations made by MQM chief Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui regarding the state of development and healthcare facilities in Karachi.

Memon urged Siddiqui to verify his facts before publicly critcizing Karachi's healthcare system. Providing a comprehensive breakdown of the funds allocated to the city's key medical institutions, the minister said in 2011-12, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) received Rs1.377 billion, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) received Rs3 billion, and the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) was allocated Rs234 million.

Similarly, he said from 2011-12 to 2023-24, the Sindh government disbursed Rs76.536 billion to JPMC, Rs62.905 billion to NICVD, and Rs18.292 billion to NICH.

Memon also highlighted the government's response during the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that in 2020-21, Rs104 million was allocated to establish a 90-bed facility at JPMC. Subsequent funding included Rs104 million for operational costs in 2021-22, Rs240 million for the Patients Aid Foundation (PAF), and Rs588.5 million for equipment for JPMC's surgical complex in 2022-23. The grant to PAF increased to Rs640 million for 2023-24.

Looking ahead, Memon announced that Rs2.137 billion has been earmarked for the 2024-25 fiscal year for equipment and utilities for a new 12-story, 532-bed medical complex at JPMC, with an additional Rs640 million allocated to PAF. Between 2021-22 and 2024-25, a total of Rs1.86 billion has been provided to PAF.

Concluding his remarks, Memon criticized the MQM leadership for being “politically out of touch with Karachi's current sentiments”. He asserted that the people of Karachi now place their trust in the PPP leadership and appreciate the provincial government's efforts toward development, peace, and tolerance in the city