ISLAMABAD: A 250-bed hospital being built in partnership with the UK in Islamabad is getting closer to opening, the British High Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.

The first London’s Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service (NHS) Trust partnership with a Pakistani hospital will focus on sharing clinical best practices and staff development, the high commission said.

London’s Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust will provide specialist knowledge and advice on hospital planning, staffing and training to Novacare.

The hospital is designed to offer comprehensive care across 28 clinical specialities, including cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, neurology and maternal health.

It is set to open in 2026 and will feature advanced infrastructure such as smart building management systems, AI-optimised vertical transportation and infection control and fall prevention technologies.

During a visit, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said, “This agreement is bringing the UK’s world-leading healthcare expertise to Pakistan, and in turn, supporting the UK’s NHS. Through sharing the NHS’s cutting-edge clinical best practices and helping to develop staff, this agreement will directly help to save lives.”

Jane Marriott visited the hospital construction site along with the UK Trade Envoy to Pakistan, Mohammad Yasin MP, who is on a three-day visit to Pakistan. Following a tour of the site, she met with Johannes Kedzierski, CEO of Novacare, and Faraz Minai, Director of Novacare, among other representatives from the facility.

Jane Marriott stated that this partnership strengthens the UK’s global healthcare leadership by exporting NHS clinical standards and expertise. It includes opportunities for Novacare clinicians to observe multidisciplinary team meetings, receive second opinions from UK specialists, and undergo training aligned with NHS protocols, she added.

Complex cases may also be referred to Imperial’s private facilities in London, enhancing revenue for UK healthcare institutions.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2025