QUETTA
Balochistan has moved a significant step closer to establishing its first modern, specialised cardiac care facility, with the Balochistan Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (BICVD) entering the final stages of completion.
The 150-bed state-of-the-art hospital is expected to be inaugurated later this month, according to Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.
The announcement was made during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Directors of the Balochistan Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, chaired by the chief minister.
The meeting reviewed progress on the hospital’s completion, the provision of medical services, the administrative framework, and measures required to make the institution fully operational.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarfraz Bugti described the project as a landmark development for the province’s healthcare sector, particularly for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. He said the establishment of the institute would enable patients to access advanced cardiac care within Balochistan, reducing the need to travel to other provinces for specialised treatment.
“The people of Balochistan will soon have access to modern facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases within the province,” the chief minister said, adding that the project would ease both the financial and logistical burdens often faced by patients seeking treatment outside Balochistan.
Officials informed the meeting that, alongside the hospital, three satellite centres would be launched during the initial phase of operations.
During the meeting, the board approved the appointment of renowned cardiologist Dr Jalal Khan as the interim head of BICVD. He will oversee the process of making the institution operational in line with modern healthcare standards and ensure the implementation of advanced medical and administrative systems.
These centres are intended to provide basic cardiac healthcare services and facilitate the early diagnosis of cardiovascular conditions, helping patients receive timely medical attention closer to their communities.
Provincial Health Minister Bakht Kakar briefed participants on the institute’s long-term expansion strategy. He stated that in the second phase, the network of satellite centres would be extended to all divisional headquarters across the province. Furthermore, Chest Pain Management Centres would be established in every district to provide immediate medical assistance and prompt diagnostic services for patients experiencing symptoms associated with heart disease.
The chief minister emphasised that the development of modern healthcare institutions and the delivery of quality medical services at the doorstep of citizens remain among the provincial government’s key priorities. He said the Balochistan Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases would be equipped with advanced medical technology, qualified specialists, and an effective administrative framework to ensure timely diagnosis, quality treatment, and emergency cardiac care.
Sarfraz Bugti noted that government investment in the health sector aims to provide tangible relief to the public and address longstanding healthcare challenges. He stressed that the benefits of the project would not be limited to Quetta but would extend to remote and underserved areas through the planned network of satellite centres and district-level facilities.
“The objective is to ensure that every citizen of Balochistan has access to improved cardiac healthcare services, regardless of where they live,” he said.
