KARACHI: The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) is introducing a new treatment modality for acute stroke patients while efforts are on to expand its reach for free paediatric care services to the people of Balochistan.

This was shared by NICVD Executive Director Prof Tahir Saghir at a media briefing held on Monday to discuss the institute’s recent progress and expansion across Pakistan, including its network of satellite centres and chest pain units.

Recalling how the institution was established in 1963, Prof Saghir said that the institute had grown from a single hospital in Karachi to 10 hospitals across Sindh, providing state-of-the-art cardiac services to patients from all walks of life.

“Today, NICVD hospitals exist not only in Karachi but also in Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Sehwan, Nawabshah, Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Mithi and Lyari,” he said.

“The institute offers comprehensive facilities including angiography, angioplasty, bypass heart surgery, laboratory and radiology services, outpatient consultation, hospitalisation, and medication, all free of charge,” he added.

Additionally, he pointed out, NICVD had established 28 chest pain units across Sindh to provide acute management of heart attacks.

“These units are strategically located under flyovers or at hospitals and clinics in cities; Karachi, Ghotki, Tando Bago, Jacobabad, Umerkot, Tando Allahyar, Mirpurkhas, Shikarpur, Thatta, Kashmore, and Bhiria City. To date, these units have treated over 1.3 million patients without cost,” he said.

According to Prof Saghir, NICVD’s main hospital, satellite centres, and chest pain units treat over 2.4m patients every year while over 20,000 primary angioplasties and 10,000 early invasive and elective angioplasties are performed annually.

He announced the introduction of a new treatment modality for acute stroke at NICVD Karachi and NICVD Tando Muhammad Khan.

In reply to a question, he explained that acute stroke intervention could reverse the effects of stroke by removing blood clots in the brain vessels.

“We are the first institution in Sindh to offer this life-saving treatment without any charge. The programme will soon be available at NICVD Sukkur as well.”

He also shared details about the collaboration with Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute of Cardiology in Quetta. Through this partnership, he said, NICVD would be expanding its reach to provide free paediatric cardiac services to the people of Balochistan.

Prof Saghir acknowledged what he described as “invaluable support of the Sindh government” that had been instrumental in providing high quality care to thousands of patients from other provinces of Pakistan as well.

A state-of-the-art MRI machine, he said, had been installed at the hospital, enhancing the institute’s diagnostic capabilities.

“This latest technology will provide patients with high-quality imaging services, aiding in the accurate diagnosis and treatment planning for cardiovascular and related conditions,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2024