KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) and Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital (HSMH), Malir, to establish comprehensive cardiac care services for residents of Malir and surrounding areas. The agreement aims to provide emergency cardiac assessment, stabilization, follow-up care, specialist consultations, tele-cardiology support and improved referral services for patients requiring advanced cardiac treatment.
The signing ceremony was held at the Chief Minister House and attended by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Secretary to Chief Minister Asif Jameel, Health Secretary Tahir Sangi, NICVD Acting Executive Director Prof. Asad Bilal Awan, Head of Cyber Knife Centre Prof. Dr. Tariq Mahmood, Chairman Higher Education Commission Prof. Dr. M. Tariq Rafi, President Hassan Suleman Foundation Dr. Javed Suleman, Dr. Shahab Ullah, Dr. Zahid Jamal, Dr. Anwar Ali Khan and other senior officials.
Under the agreement, Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital will provide emergency cardiac assessment, stabilization and follow-up care, while patients requiring advanced procedures, including angiography, angioplasty and cardiac surgery, will be referred to NICVD through a dedicated referral mechanism.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the Sindh government was committed to expanding access to quality healthcare and ensuring that life-saving cardiac treatment reaches people closer to their homes.
He said NICVD had become a symbol of hope for millions by providing world-class cardiac treatment free of cost and that the collaboration would extend the same model to Malir, enabling patients to receive timely cardiac assessment and emergency care before being connected to NICVD’s advanced treatment network.
The chief minister noted that cardiovascular diseases remain among the leading causes of death and stressed the importance of rapid diagnosis and treatment. He directed the Health Department and NICVD management to ensure effective implementation of the agreement and establish a robust referral and transfer mechanism for uninterrupted patient care.
Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho described the agreement as an important step towards strengthening healthcare services through institutional collaboration. She said the partnership would improve access to early diagnosis, emergency cardiac management and specialist care for residents of Malir and adjoining areas.
Dr. Pechuho added that the government would continue supporting innovative partnerships aimed at improving healthcare accessibility, reducing treatment delays and enhancing patient care.
President Hassan Suleman Foundation Dr. Javed Suleman thanked the Sindh government and NICVD leadership for their support. He said Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital would serve as an important point of care for cardiac patients, ensuring timely assessment, emergency management and direct access to NICVD’s advanced treatment facilities.
According to the MoU, NICVD will provide specialist cardiology consultations, telemedicine support, advanced cardiac procedures, training and technical guidance, while Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital will provide dedicated facilities for emergency cardiac management, diagnostic services and post-treatment follow-up care.
The agreement has been signed for an initial period of 20 years and is expected to strengthen cardiovascular healthcare services in Malir while improving access to free, quality cardiac treatment for thousands of patients in Karachi’s eastern corridor and adjoining districts.
The MoU was formally signed by NICVD Acting Executive Director Prof. Asad Bilal Awan and President Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital Dr. Javed Suleman in the presence of the chief minister and other dignitaries.
