GUJRAT: The intensive care unit (ICU) of the Rasheeda Shafi Trauma Centre at the Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital (ABSTH) has become functional after its capacity was enhanced to 16 beds.

At least five more beds with new ventilators provided by the Punjab government have been added to the ICU whereas its building was also extended to enhance the capacity, said a senior official of the hospital.

He said that at least Rs32m had been spent on the extension of the ICU and added that five brand new ventilators worth Rs25m had been provided on the orders of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz with the special efforts of provincial minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain whereas Rs7m spent on the civil work for the extension of ICU were provided by Imtiaz Kausar, chairman Rasheeda Shafi Foundation, an organization of local philanthropists.

Official sources said the extension of the ICU had been decided during the recent standoff at the border between Pakistan and India as the provincial government had approved the provision of five more ventilators to the ABSTH.

They said that the extension had been made in a very short period of time as the facility had to be shut due to the civil work. It had become functional a couple of days back.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2025