Karachi, In a significant move to enhance pediatric cardiac care, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over the 82nd Governing Body meeting of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) and approved an additional Rs 520 million for the establishment of a Pediatric Cardiac unit. This unit is to be housed within two designated floors of a new under-construction building at NICVD.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, the meeting attended by key figures including Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, and several MPs and secretaries, also addressed the urgent need for modern imaging technology. The Chief Minister directed the immediate release of Rs 628.3 million previously approved for the purchase of an MRI machine, aimed at bolstering the NICVD’s Stroke Intervention Program.
The discussions highlighted the critical demand for expanding NICVD’s facilities due to the increasing burden of pediatric cardiac conditions. The newly allocated funds are set to expedite the construction and operationalization of the Pediatric Cardiac unit to provide specialized care.
Additionally, the financial challenges posed by significant inflation and the rising cost of dollar-based medical equipment were discussed. In response, the NICVD Executive Director Dr. Tahir Saghir, who was reappointed during the meeting, proposed an increase in the grant-in-aid for the 2024-2025 financial year to sustain and expand NICVD’s services. The Chief Minister tasked Health Minister Dr. Pechuho and Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi with assessing and finalizing this budgetary increment.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for a robust patient treatment tracking system to monitor all expenditures related to patient care at NICVD, including tests, procedures, and medications. This system aims to enhance budget transparency and facilitate more scientific budget preparation.