Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurated several state-of-the-art medical facilities at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) in Karachi on Monday, reinforcing Sindh’s commitment to providing free and high-quality healthcare. The newly inaugurated facilities include the 120-bed Rashid Soorty Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the 110-bed Saif-ul-Islam Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, and the cutting-edge CyberKnife S7-FIM system.
During the inauguration ceremony, Bilawal highlighted the excellence of Sindh’s healthcare institutions, emphasizing that some of the best hospitals in Pakistan, such as JPMC, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), and the National Institute of Child Health (NICH), are located in Sindh. He praised these institutions as models of good governance and successful public-private partnerships, particularly following the 18th Constitutional Amendment. He noted that while criticism of the Sindh government’s efforts is common, the tangible achievements in healthcare speak louder than words.
Bilawal pointed out that the CyberKnife machine at JPMC offers free cancer treatment, which would otherwise cost thousands of dollars abroad. He mentioned that the Royal College of Radiology ranks JPMC’s Cancer Treatment Department among the top 10 globally, underscoring Sindh’s advancements in healthcare. He also acknowledged the contributions of Sindh’s business community in partnering with the government to provide these free services.
Contrasting Sindh’s focus on strengthening public healthcare with other provinces that prioritize private hospitals through health cards, Bilawal noted that the expensive PET-CT scan for cancer diagnosis is available for free only in Sindh. He highlighted that patients from 167 cities across Pakistan and 15 other countries benefit from JPMC’s services. He suggested that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah should take the Prime Minister on a tour of JPMC, NICVD, and NICH during his next visit to Karachi, and expressed his willingness to assist in establishing similar hospitals in other provinces, particularly Punjab and Balochistan.
Additionally, Bilawal participated in a signing ceremony between the Patients’ Aid Foundation and the Sindh government for the Radiation Oncology Section at JPMC. The ceremony was attended by key figures including Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced that, following Bilawal’s instructions, the provincial government had provided a new state-of-the-art CyberKnife system worth $4.1 million to JPMC. The Sindh government has been covering the operational costs of the CyberKnife unit since 2018, in collaboration with the Patients’ Aid Foundation. The new CyberKnife unit, equipped with advanced technology, significantly reduces treatment times, making JPMC one of the world’s top 10 centers for cancer treatment with radiation, housing two CyberKnives and two Tomotherapy units under one roof.
Murad Ali Shah emphasized that JPMC is the only center globally offering free CyberKnife and Tomotherapy treatments, regardless of the patient’s nationality, religion, or ethnicity. He noted that 15 countries and 167 cities in Pakistan benefit from these free services. He also highlighted that the Sindh government has granted operational autonomy to the Patients’ Aid Foundation for the Radiation Oncology Section, fostering growth and the introduction of new technologies.
Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho added that the Patients’ Aid Foundation introduced Tomotherapy technology in Pakistan in 2020, treating around 50 patients daily, with a second unit currently being installed.
The inauguration of the new Psychiatry and Neurology Departments by Bilawal represents a significant upgrade from previous facilities. The Rashid Soorty Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences now features 120 inpatient beds and modern OPD facilities, while the Saif-ul-Islam Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit offers 110 beds and specialized treatment options, addressing the growing needs for mental health and neurological care.
Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari responded to Sindh’s recent initiatives by stating that the Sindh government should also focus on providing relief to its people, rather than expressing envy over Punjab’s efforts to reduce electricity bills. She emphasized that the Punjab government, under Maryam Nawaz, is focused on public welfare and questioned the PPP’s commitment to providing relief during challenging times.
