Balochistan Cardiac Institute Board Holds First Meeting Under Chief Minister Bugti

QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said that the Balochistan Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases (BICVD) is nearing completion, marking an important step towards providing modern medical facilities for heart patients in the province.

The 150-bed modern hospital is expected to be inaugurated this month.

He said the establishment of the institute would allow the people of Balochistan to receive modern diagnostic and treatment facilities for heart disease within the province, freeing patients from the difficulties of travelling to other provinces for treatment.

He expressed these views while chairing the first meeting of the Board of Directors of the Balochistan Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases. The meeting reviewed in detail the progress so far on completing the hospital, providing medical services, the administrative structure and making the institute operational.

Dr Jalal Khan Appointed Interim Head

The meeting approved the appointment of Dr Jalal Khan, a well-known cardiologist, as interim head of the Balochistan Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases. Dr Jalal Khan will oversee the process of making the institute operational in line with modern medical requirements.

A briefing to the meeting stated that in the initial phase, three satellite centres linked to the hospital will also be made operational, so that basic-level medical services and timely diagnosis can be provided to patients.

Satellite Centres and Chest Pain Management Centres

Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar told the meeting that in the second phase, the network of satellite centres will be extended to all divisional headquarters, while chest pain management centres will also be established in all districts of the province, so that patients showing chest pain or symptoms of heart disease can receive immediate medical assistance and timely diagnosis.

Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that establishing modern medical institutions and providing quality treatment to people at their doorstep are part of the provincial government’s key initiatives in the health sector. He said the institute would be made operational through modern medical equipment, qualified specialists and an effective administrative system, to ensure timely diagnosis, quality treatment and emergency medical services for patients.

The chief minister said the main aim of investment in the health sector is to provide relief to the public and remove the difficulties they face in obtaining treatment. He made clear that the provision of medical services would not be limited to Quetta, and would also be ensured in remote districts of Balochistan through satellite centres, so that every citizen of the province has access to better cardiac care.

Participants in the meeting included Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar; board members Dr Rababa Khan Baledi and Dr Muhammad Nawaz; Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan; Health Secretary Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Panizai; and the newly appointed interim head, Dr Jalal Khan, who joined by video link. Additional Chief Secretary for Development and Planning Zahid Saleem, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Imran Zarkoon, Additional Secretary Chief Minister’s Secretariat Muhammad Fareedoon Khan, Special Secretary Health Department Shahak Baloch, Special Secretary Finance Muhammad Arif Khan and other relevant officials also attended.