Sindh CM oversees NICVD-Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital partnership to establish cardiac care services in Malir

KARACHI, Jun 12 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) and Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital (HSMH), Malir, aimed at establishing comprehensive cardiac care services for residents of Malir and surrounding areas.

      The partnership will enable Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital to provide emergency cardiac assessment, stabilisation, and follow-up care, while patients requiring advanced interventions such as angiography, angioplasty and cardiac surgery will be referred to NICVD through a dedicated referral mechanism. The collaboration also includes tele-cardiology support, specialist consultations and capacity-building of medical and paramedical staff.

The signing ceremony was held at the Chief Minister House and attended by Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Secretary to CM Asif Jameel, Secretary Health Tahir Sangi, Acting Executive Director NICVD Asad Bilal Awan, Head of Cyber Knife Centre Prof Dr Tariq Mahmood, Chairman HEC Prof Dr M Tariq Rafi, President Hassan Suleman Foundation Dr Javed Suleman, Dr Shahab Ullah, Dr Zahid Jamal, Dr Anwar Ali Khan and other senior officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the Sindh government was committed to expanding access to quality healthcare services and ensuring that life-saving cardiac treatment reaches people closer to their homes.

“NICVD has become a symbol of hope for millions by providing world-class cardiac treatment free of cost. Through this collaboration, we are extending that model to Malir, where patients will be able to receive timely cardiac assessment and emergency care before being connected to NICVD’s advanced treatment network,” the Chief Minister said.

     Shah added that cardiovascular diseases remain among the leading causes of death and emphasised the importance of rapid diagnosis and treatment. “In cardiac emergencies, every minute is precious. This partnership will strengthen emergency response systems, improve patient outcomes and ensure that residents of Malir and nearby localities have quicker access to specialist cardiac care,” he said.

The Chief Minister directed the Health Department and NICVD management to ensure effective implementation of the agreement and develop a robust referral and transfer mechanism to guarantee uninterrupted treatment for patients requiring advanced cardiac interventions.

Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho described the agreement as an important milestone in strengthening healthcare services in Sindh through institutional collaboration. “NICVD has revolutionised cardiac healthcare by creating a network that delivers free and high-quality treatment across the province. The partnership with Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital will further expand access to early diagnosis, emergency cardiac management, and specialist care for the people of Malir and adjoining areas,” she said.

Dr Pechuho said the government would continue to support innovative partnerships that improve healthcare accessibility, reduce treatment delays and enhance patient care.

President Hassan Suleman Foundation, Dr Javed Suleman, thanked the Chief Minister and the NICVD leadership for their support and vision. “We are honoured to partner with NICVD, one of the most respected cardiac institutions in the region. Through this collaboration, Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital in Malir will serve as an important point of care for cardiac patients, providing timely assessment and emergency management while ensuring direct access to NICVD’s advanced treatment facilities,” he said.

Dr Javed Suleman added that the partnership reflected a shared commitment to serving humanity and improving healthcare outcomes for underserved communities.

Under the MoU, NICVD will provide specialist cardiology consultations, telemedicine support, advanced cardiac procedures, training and technical guidance, while Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital will provide dedicated space and facilities for emergency cardiac management, diagnostic services and post-treatment follow-up care.

The agreement, signed for an initial period of 20 years, is expected to significantly strengthen cardiovascular healthcare services in Malir and enhance access to free, quality cardiac treatment for thousands of patients in Karachi’s eastern corridor and adjoining districts.

“This partnership will particularly benefit the people of Malir and surrounding localities by bringing quality cardiac assessment and emergency heart care closer to their homes while ensuring direct access to NICVD’s advanced treatment facilities,” the Chief Minister said.

The NICVD Acting Executive Director, Prof. Asad Bilal, and the President of Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital, Dr Javed Suleman, signed the MoU in the presence of the Chief Minister and other dignitaries.