The Quetta heart hospital, formally the Balochistan Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (BICVD), is nearing completion and is expected to be inaugurated later this month, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said. The 150-bed hospital is designed to give people in the province modern diagnostic and treatment services for heart disease, so patients will no longer need to travel to other provinces for specialised cardiac care.
Board reviews readiness
Bugti chaired the first meeting of the BICVD board of directors, which reviewed progress on the building, its medical facilities, its administrative structure and preparations to make the institute operational. The meeting approved the appointment of cardiologist Dr Jalal Khan as interim head. He will oversee preparations to bring the institute up to modern medical standards.
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 Dr Jalal Khan joined the meeting through a video link. Several other officials also took part.
Satellite centres and chest pain care
The meeting was told that three satellite centres linked to the hospital will become operational in the initial phase, offering basic medical services and timely diagnosis. In the second phase, the network will be expanded to all divisional headquarters, the health minister said.
Chest Pain Management Centres will also be set up in every district to provide immediate help to people with chest pain or symptoms of cardiovascular disease. Bugti said healthcare should be available closer to people's homes and not confined to Quetta, with remote districts reached through the satellite centres.
What the institute will offer
Bugti said the BICVD will be equipped with modern medical equipment, qualified specialists and an effective administrative system. The aim is timely diagnosis, quality treatment and emergency care for cardiac patients. He described investment in the health sector as relief for the public and a way to address the difficulties patients face in getting treatment.
The meeting did not give a specific date for the inauguration beyond this month.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Quetta mein 150 bistron wala dil ka hospital, Balochistan Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, jald mukammal hone wala hai aur is mahine ke aakhir tak khulne ki umeed hai. Iske baad Balochistan ke mareezon ko dil ke ilaj ke liye doosray sooba nahi jana parega. Pehle marhale mein teen satellite centres kaam shuru karenge, aur baad mein har zila mein chest pain ke centres banaye jayenge. Dr Jalal Khan is ke interim head muqarrar kiye gaye hain.
