KARACHI: The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) Trust has finalised the purchase of Regent Plaza Hotel from Pakistan Hotel Developers Limited (PHDL) with a view to converting it into a hospital.

Regent Plaza Hotel and Convention Centre is located on main Sharea Faisal on an area of 13,200 square yards. The total covered area of the multi-storey building is 47,034 square yards.

“This move aims to address the pressing need for expansion due to the ever-increasing patient load on SIUT’s current facilities, which were built over 20 years ago,” said a statement issued here on Sunday.

It said: “This initiative is particularly noteworthy as it contrasts the common trend of converting amenity parcels of land into commercial holdings. It is a rare instance where a commercial property is being transformed into a free hospital for the benefit of the common citizen.”

The 1500-bed SIUT is located in a congested part of the old city. Patients from all parts of the country come here for treatment due to its high quality of care, extensive range of services and unique model of free care at the point of contact.

The newly acquired property is strategically located in the city’s heart, near other major hospitals, and boasts excellent public transport access. Its proximity to the cantonment railway station will facilitate easier access for patients from other parts of the country, alleviating the need to navigate the congested area where SIUT’s flagship hospital currently operates, it added.

The conversion of the property into a hospital will occur in stages, helping to offload the pressure on SIUT’s existing premises.

Commenting on the purchase, a spokesperson for SIUT said, “The acquisition was made possible through a bank loan, and the generous contributions through offshore Pakistanis in North America.”

“We hope that our efforts to expand our services by acquiring this facility will garner support from the community and government, helping us transform this vision into reality. We call upon the government, local community, and Pakistanis living abroad to contribute towards this goal,” he added.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2024