A shot in the armfor Civil Hospital

Rs100b expansion plan to add 500 beds, build twin towers while preserving 120-year-old heritage

KARACHI:

The first-ever large-scale expansion of one of the country's oldest and busiest public hospitals, Dr Ruth K M Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, has been approved by Sindh government. The project will add 500 new beds and introduce modern medical infrastructure while preserving the facility's historic buildings dating back more than a century.

Dr Ruth K M Pfau Civil Hospital originally constructed in 1898, decades before the creation of Pakistan. Under the new master plan, the hospital's capacity will be raised from 2,000 to 2,500 beds. The project has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs100 billion.

The expansion plan also ensures the preservation of the hospital's historic structures, some of which are over 120 years old. These include the heritage building associated with Queen Victoria, along with other historically significant buildings located within the hospital premises.

According to the approved design, the hospital will be redeveloped in line with modern international healthcare standards. Two new 12-storey towers will be constructed within the hospital compound, with separate towers dedicated to medical and surgical units to provide patients with comprehensive treatment under a one-window healthcare system.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday. During the session, the chief minister granted final approval to the hospital's new master plan, which aims to transform the facility into a state-of-the-art healthcare centre. The project will also involve private partners under a public-private partnership model to help upgrade medical services, infrastructure, and management systems.

Under the expansion plan, several new facilities will be established, including a new Outpatient Department (OPD) block, a modern burn ward, and a dedicated jail ward. The project will also include the construction of a modern mortuary and the introduction of an improved hospital waste management system.

Chief Minister Shah further decided to form a supervisory board comprising government officials and private sector experts to oversee the implementation of the project and ensure transparency and timely completion.

Medical Superintendent Dr Khalid Bukhari said the hospital currently receives between 6,000 and 7,000 patients daily for consultation and treatment. The expansion plan, he noted, has been designed to improve patient flow and make access to healthcare services easier for the large number of people who rely on the hospital.

Once completed, the upgraded Dr Ruth K M Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi is expected to become the largest teaching hospital in Sindh, significantly strengthening the province's public healthcare system.

The meeting was attended by Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho, Planning and Development Chairman Najam Shah, Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi, Health Secretary Tahir Sanghi, Secretary to the Chief Minister Asif Jameel, Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Khalid Bukhari, and Director Dr Dabeer. Social leaders Faisal Edhi, Mushtaq Chhapra, Dr Saad Khalid Niaz, and Shahid Abdullah also participated in the meeting.