Sindh CM Says Public-Private Partnerships Expanding Healthcare Access
KARACHI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said his government is working with private-sector partners to expand healthcare services across the province, as he inspected the under-construction Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital in Malir.
The hospital is being developed with support from the Sindh government and is planned to provide free medical treatment to patients once it becomes operational, according to details presented during the chief minister’s visit.
Shah was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Agha Wasif. He was received by Javed Suleman, Sindh Higher Education Commission Chairman Professor Tariq Rafi and other officials associated with the project.
Sindh Health Secretary Tahir Sangi, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Executive Director Professor Tahir Saghir and architect Shahid Abdullah were also among those attending.
312-Bed Hospital Planned for Malir
During the visit, Shah inspected various sections, wards and facilities being developed at the hospital and received a detailed briefing on the project’s progress.
Officials said the 312-bed hospital will cover approximately 323,000 square feet and provide a range of modern diagnostic and treatment services.
Plans include MRI and CT scanning facilities, advanced cardiac care, an emergency department, outpatient services, intensive care and a coronary care unit.
The facility was proposed by Pakistani doctors based in Pakistan and the United States, with the project launched under the leadership of Dr Javed Suleman.
Officials said Malir was selected because of the need for greater access to quality medical facilities in the area.
Project Cost Put at $23.5 Million
The total cost of the Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital was given as approximately $23.5 million.
Construction began in December 2022, and officials said the hospital is currently scheduled to be inaugurated on December 25, 2026.
The Sindh government provided land for the project and approved a matching grant, under which government financial support is tied to an equivalent contribution towards the development.
The briefing said the project had received support from the president, the Sindh chief minister and the provincial government since its inception.
Shah described the hospital as consistent with the provincial government’s objective of improving access to quality healthcare.
He said residents of Malir would benefit from modern treatment facilities once the hospital opens and described the Sindh government as an important partner in the project.
Murad Ali Shah Highlights Public-Private Model
The chief minister used the visit to highlight Sindh’s broader reliance on public-private partnerships in healthcare.
Shah described the provincial government’s public-private partnership programme as highly successful and said the government was working with private partners to serve patients across the province.
He said providing high-quality healthcare to Sindh’s residents remained a priority for his administration.
The chief minister also expressed anticipation for the hospital’s planned December opening, saying the facility would begin serving the public after its inauguration.
Public-private healthcare arrangements allow governments to combine public funding, land or infrastructure with expertise and resources from non-governmental partners. Their performance, however, ultimately depends on governance, sustainable financing, accessibility and measurable healthcare outcomes.
600-Bed Larkana Project Also Highlighted
Shah also referred to another healthcare initiative being developed in Larkana with the cooperation of Javed Suleman.
According to the chief minister, work has been initiated on a 600-bed hospital there as part of efforts to expand healthcare infrastructure beyond Karachi.
The Malir project is significant because it combines government support with private participation while targeting free treatment for patients.
If the planned December 25 opening proceeds on schedule, the Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital would add 312 beds and a range of specialist diagnostic and critical-care services to Malir’s healthcare infrastructure.
