KARACHI: The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) and the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (SICVD) on Friday commenced the 2nd NICVD & SICVD Annual Symposium 2026 with an inaugural ceremony held in Karachi.
The two-day symposium has brought together cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, researchers and healthcare professionals from across Pakistan to deliberate on advancements in cardiovascular research, disease prevention and patient-centred care. The scientific programme includes multidisciplinary sessions as well as parallel sessions for nursing staff, paramedics and technologists. The symposium will continue until January 31.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Mayor of Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab as chief guest. Addressing the participants, he stressed that prevention through healthy lifestyles and awareness is key to reducing the growing burden of heart disease. Sharing a personal experience, he said his father passed away due to a heart attack at the age of 43, highlighting the importance of early detection and timely intervention. He appreciated NICVD and SICVD for providing modern cardiac care free of cost and for their role in public health awareness.
Executive Director NICVD Prof. Tahir Saghir, in his welcome address, outlined the objectives of the symposium and the scope of the scientific sessions. He shared that NICVD treated more than 1.6 million patients during 2025, reflecting public trust in the institution. He added that around 10,000 primary angioplasties were successfully performed last year, underscoring NICVD’s role in saving lives through timely cardiac intervention. He also presented an overview of the institute’s progress, expansion and achievements.
Executive Director SICVD Prof. Jawaid Akbar Sial also addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of the joint symposium. He stated that over 3.1 million patients were treated across the SICVD network in 2025, demonstrating its expanding reach across Sindh. He added that more than 13,000 primary angioplasties were performed within the SICVD network, while thousands of patients benefited from timely treatment through SICVD’s Chest Pain Units, contributing significantly to early diagnosis and emergency cardiac care.
Senior faculty members from NICVD and SICVD, along with leading cardiologists and healthcare professionals from across the country, are participating in the symposium. The event will conclude on Saturday with a full day of scientific sessions focusing on innovation, prevention and excellence in cardiovascular care.
