KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, along with Pakistani-American doctors, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital (HSMH) in Ibrahim Hyderi, district Malir, marking a step towards providing much-needed healthcare to underserved communities.

The 312-bed hospital is expected to be completed within two years, with patient care scheduled to commence in 2026. The hospital willprovide a range of services, including emergency care, cardiac surgeries, and specialised treatments in cardiology, paediatrics, women`s health, and trauma care, all free of charge.

During the event, the chief minister highlighted the HSMH project as a collaborative effort between Pakistani-American doctors and the Sindh government, emphasising its role as a powerful testament to philanthropy and international cooperation, said a press statement issued by the CM House on Wednesday.

Speaking at the ceremony, CM Shah described the hospital as a `beacon of hope` and pledged a matching grant for all donations received.

He reiterated his government`s commitment to supporting the hospital through infrastructure, policy and operational assistance. The CMpraised the dedication of the Pakistani diaspora in the United States, calling their contributions `truly inspiring`.

Dr Javed Suleman, the chairman of the Hassan Suleman Foundation, expressed profound gratitude to the federal government, specifically acknowledging President Asif Ali Zardari`s vision and the Sindh government`s support through land allocation and financial backing.

He emphasised the hospital`s mission to provide free, high-quality medical services, stating it represents not just healthcare but `a heart for the people`.

HSMH president Dr Iqbal Zafar highlighted the stronginternational collaboration that made the project possible, emphasising the unity of purpose connecting Pakistani Americans with their homeland.

He described the hospital as a lifeline for the Malir community.