MARDAN: The newly-established Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) at Mardan Medical Complex (MMC) hospital was inaugurated by the adviser to the chief minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on health, Advocate Ihtisham Ali, here on Sunday.

Dean and chief executive officer (CEO) Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Mardan Professor Dr Amjad Ali, hospital director Prof Muhammad Fazil, medical director Prof Rahman Uddin, Assistant Professor Shafiq Alam and other health and hospital officials were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the participants of the ceremony, the health advisor termed the establishment of Cath Lab in MMC a significant development for the residents of Mardan and catchment areas. He stated that with setting up of a cath lab here, the people of Mardan will now avail treatment for their heart complications at their doorstep.

“Now the latest diagnostics and treatments, including angiography and angioplasty are available in Mardan,” he remarked. He said that patients from Mardan and its adjoining districts will no longer need to be referred to Peshawar, adding 50percent reduction in heart patients being referred to Peshawar was expected after the availability of this vital facility here.

Dean/ CEO MTI Mardan Prof Amjad Ali said that it was a proud moment for the board of governors (BoG), management and all staff of MMC that a much needed state-of-the-art Cath Lab had started functioning at the health facility here.

He said that it was the long-standing demand of the people of Mardan and need of the hour to have a Cath Lab in Mardan. “It was the long awaited project, which is now made functional,” he added.

Hospital director Prof Muhammad Fazil said that establishing the Cath Lab and making it functional was not an easy task. “Starting from scratch and completing it was a gigantic task” he said.

Dr Fazil said that the current BoG under the Chairmanship of Prof Arshad Javaid spearheaded the efforts and played an important role in making this vital facility functional.

In-charge Cardiology Department MMC Assistant Prof Noorul Hadi said that it was a long awaited project. “On behalf of the Cardiology Department, I am thankful to previous and current BoGs, management, faculty members and all staff who played their role in making this project possible,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2025