KARACHI: The governing body of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) has granted in-principle approval for establishing an Advanced Heart Failure Programme using Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) technology. It also approved the initiation of preparations for a future heart transplant programme.
The decisions were taken at the governing body’s 85th meeting, chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. The chief minister directed the NICVD administration to seek technical assistance, training and capacity-building support from leading national and international institutions.
He said the Advanced Heart Failure Programme would mark a significant advancement in specialised cardiac care, reaffirming the Sindh government’s commitment to providing free and quality treatment to deserving patients.
The meeting was informed that NICVD performed 9,279 primary PCI procedures, 18,875 angiographies, 88,165 echocardiography examinations, 3,069 paediatric catheterisations and interventions, and more than 1,400 cardiac surgeries during 2025. The institute also provided 296,731 emergency consultations and 443,610 outpatient consultations during the year.
According to the briefing, more than 1.32 million patients from Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan received treatment at NICVD facilities between 2019 and 2025.
The meeting was also briefed on the construction of a seven-storey, 300-bed paediatric cardiology unit featuring five operating theatres, four catheterisation laboratories, a hybrid laboratory and advanced diagnostic facilities. A 100-bed cardiac emergency centre and a modern outpatient department covering 59,000 square feet are also under construction.
The governing body approved the promotion and upgradation of NICVD employees, recruitment of a chief operating officer and chief financial officer on two-year contracts, and creation of a Grade-17 medical officer position in the Paediatric Cardiology Department.
It also approved the voluntary appointment of renowned US-based cardiologist Professor Javed Suleman as Professor of Cardiology and Medical Director at NICVD, without placing any financial burden on the institution.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the authorities to complete all expansion projects on time and maintain international standards of patient care. He described NICVD as a model healthcare institution in Sindh and a national asset serving patients from across Pakistan.
