KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to finalize the master plan for the upgradation of Civil Hospital Karachi, approving a major development initiative aimed at transforming the historic public hospital into a modern, world-class medical facility.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho, Chairman Planning & Development Najam Shah, Finance Secretary Fayyaz Jatoi, Health Secretary Tahir Sangi, Secretary to the Chief Minister Asif Jameel, Medical Superintendent Civil Hospital Dr. Khalid Bukhari, and Director Dr. Dabeer. Prominent social figures including Faisal Edhi, Mushtaq Chhapra, Dr. Saad Khalid Niaz, and Shahid Abdullah also participated in the discussion, according to the CM’s spokesperson.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said the Sindh government has decided to upgrade Civil Hospital Karachi into one of the most advanced medical facilities in the country, adding that the project will significantly strengthen Karachi’s healthcare system. He said the initiative would be implemented with the support of private partners to ensure modern infrastructure and high-quality healthcare services.
Murad Ali Shah said the government plans to develop the hospital into a state-of-the-art medical complex with an estimated cost of around Rs100 billion, while a Rs50 billion master plan has already been approved to initiate the transformation. The project aims to expand the hospital’s infrastructure and improve medical services for millions of patients who rely on the facility every year.
Under the approved master plan, the existing area of Civil Hospital Karachi will be doubled, while the current 2,142-bed capacity will be expanded with an additional 500 beds. Several aging and dilapidated structures will be replaced with modern medical and surgical towers, while the construction of the Abdul Sattar Edhi Medical Tower will begin immediately.
The project will also include the development of a new Outpatient Department (OPD) block, a modern burns ward, and a jail ward. Plans have also been approved for establishing a modern mortuary and medical waste management system to ensure improved hospital operations and public health safety.
Additionally, the master plan includes the construction of dedicated hostels for doctors and nurses, along with new administrative blocks, aimed at improving working conditions and operational efficiency within the hospital.
The Chief Minister directed that the historic heritage and legacy of Civil Hospital Karachi must be preserved while implementing the new infrastructure. He also approved the widening of roads around the hospital to facilitate easier access for ambulances and patients.
Murad Ali Shah further decided to form a special oversight board comprising government officials and private sector experts to supervise the project and ensure transparent and timely implementation. The board is expected to hold its first meeting after Eid-ul-Fitr to initiate work on the master plan.
The Sindh government described the initiative as a major step toward strengthening Karachi’s public healthcare system, with the goal of transforming Civil Hospital Karachi into a modern medical center meeting international standards.
