QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has said that the Balochistan Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (BICVD), a modern 150-bed hospital, is nearing completion and is expected to be inaugurated later this month.
He expressed these views while chairing the first meeting of the BICVD Board of Directors, which reviewed progress on the hospital’s completion, provision of medical facilities, administrative structure and preparations for making the institution operational.
He said the establishment of the institute would provide people in Balochistan with modern diagnostic and treatment facilities for heart diseases within the province, eliminating the need for patients to travel to other provincesfor specialised cardiaccare.
The meeting approved the appointment of renowned cardiologist Dr Jalal Khan as the institute’s interim head. He will oversee preparations to make the institution operational in accordance with modern medical standards.
The meeting was informed that three satellite centres linked to the hospital would also become operational during the initial phase to provide basic medical services and ensure timely diagnosis.
Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar informed the meeting that, in the second phase, the network of satellite centres would be expanded to all divisional headquarters. Chest Pain Management Centres would also be established in every district to provide immediate medical assistance and ensure timely diagnosis for patients experiencing chest pain or symptoms of cardiovascular diseases.
CM Bugti said establishing modern medical institutions and providing quality healthcare facilities closer to people’s homes were among the provincial government’s key priorities.
He said the BICVD would be equipped with modern medical equipment, qualified specialists and an effective administrative system to ensure timely diagnosis, quality treatment and emergency medical care for cardiac patients.
The chief minister said investment in the health sector was aimed at providing relief to the public and addressing difficulties faced by patients in accessing medical treatment. He emphasised that healthcare services would not remain confined to Quetta but would also be extended to remote districts through satellite centres, ensuring better access to cardiac care acrossthe province.
Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, board members Dr Rubaba Khan Buledi and Dr Muhammad Nawaz, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, Health Secretary Mujeebur Rehman Panizai and the newly appointed interim head, Dr Jalal Khan, attended the meeting through a video link.
Additional Chief Secretary (Development and Planning) Zahid Saleem, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Imran Zarkoon, Additional Secretary, Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Muhammad Faridoon Khan, Special Health Secretary Shahak Baloch, Special Finance Secretary Muhammad Arif Khan and other relevant officials also attended the meeting.