ISLAMABAD: In a significant move towards enhancing healthcare services, the health ministry has approved a PC-1 project worth Rs4 billion to upgrade the Polyclinic Hospital in the federal capital.
PM’s health aide Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmed announced the development on Tuesday, emphasising the government’s commitment to providing advanced medical facilities to the public.
As part of this initiative, a state-of-the-art cath lab will be established at the hospital to offer a range of specialised procedures, including ablation, angiogram, and angioplasty, significantly improving the quality of care for heart patients. The new lab will also provide stenting services, ensuring comprehensive cardiac care under one roof.
Dr Ahmed highlighted that replacing old biomedical machinery with the latest equipment would enhance the hospital’s ability to deliver modern and effective medical treatments.
Ministry approves PC-1 to install state-of-art equipment, establish cath lab
Additionally, the main building of Polyclinic Hospital, along with the MCH Aabpara, G-7/3, G-7/4 dispensary, and hostel, will be moved to solar power.
“This shift to renewable energy is expected to not only save energy costs but also reduce the financial burden on the government’s treasury. This move underscores the ministry’s dedication to sustainable practices and energy efficiency in public healthcare facilities,” he said.
Dr Ahmed reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the performance and infrastructure of hospitals across the country. “These upgrades at Polyclinic Hospital are part of a broader strategy to elevate the standard of healthcare services, ensuring that patients receive the best possible medical care,” he said.
Polyclinic was established as a pioneer services hospital in 1966 and had only eight beds at the time of its inauguration. The objective of the hospital was to provide free and high-quality healthcare to the employees of the federal capital. At present, there are almost 600 beds dedicated to primary, secondary and tertiary curative care services for federal government employees.
In 2008, the hospital decided to construct a building on a park’s land in front of the hospital but the move garnered controversy after the ministry realised the park was named after Argentina.
In March 2023, then-health minister Abdul Qadir Patel laid the foundation stone of 300-bed extension of the Polyclinic in Sector G-11. Once completed, this 300-bed hospital would provide facilities for diabetes, blood pressure, maternity care, allergies, bone and joint problems, chest and heart diseases, and skin issues.
It is relevant to note here that the public sector hospitals of Islamabad, mainly the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Polyclinic, and the National Institute of Health (NIH), are overcrowded.
Over the past few decades, the population of Islamabad saw a significant increase, but health facilities could not keep pace with the rapid population growth, putting immense strain on existing facilities.
Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2024
