KARACHI, Aug 10: Works for construction of a high-rise medical complex at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre will begin soon, it was officially learnt. The complex, which will comprise a two-tower building and is aimed at housing the existing and new departments and units, has already been approved by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

The multi-storey building planned to be built on 90,000 sq-ft is likely to cost Rs3 billion.

The Director of the JPMC, Dr Mashoor Alam, told Dawn that the land and site for construction of the 12-storey building was approved by Federal Health Secretary Syed Anwar Mehmood at a meeting on Wednesday.

He said that after fulfilling formalities, the building would be completed in three to four years’ time.

He said the medical towers would be constructed near the existing auditorium of the centre. The JPMC auditorium will integrate the two proposed towers.

The complex would be a state-of-the-art facility with all medical specialities, including residential accommodation for doctors, nurses and paramedical staff.

The meeting chaired by Anwar Mehmood was told that the existing 1,200-bed JPMC, was located in various barracks and units, some of which dated back to pre-independence years.

As the number of patients was increasing every day, 2,000 more beds were being planned for the hospital.

In the meantime, NESPAK will undertake detailed study and will submit a comprehensive plan for the proposed project.