Karachi Mayor Unveils Major Development Projects Around Abbasi Shaheed Hospital

By: Aziz Khatri

Karachi: In a bid to enhance healthcare services and infrastructure in the city, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab laid the foundation stone for several development initiatives around Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. The projects include significant road construction, restoration, and the installation of paver blocks, alongside the inauguration of a newly established Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

During the event, which saw the presence of Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Dil Muhammad, and other dignitaries, Mayor Wahab emphasized the importance of providing essential facilities surrounding the city's hospitals. He highlighted that the improvements in road conditions would significantly enhance traffic flow in the areas adjacent to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

The Mayor announced the addition of 25 new beds to the NICU, aimed at treating infants with congenital diseases, and confirmed orders for four new ventilators to bolster the unit's capabilities. Furthermore, the expansion of facilities at the Trauma Center is underway, signaling a commitment to advancing pediatric healthcare in the region.

"The construction and repair work on the roads around Abbasi Shaheed Hospital is progressing rapidly, and the laying of paver blocks in the surrounding union councils has begun," Wahab stated. The project is set to utilize a substantial amount of materials, including 75,000 cubic feet of sub-base course and aggregate base course blocks, with plans to lay down 225,000 square feet of 80 mm and 80,000 square feet of 60 mm paver blocks.

The Mayor remarked, "The roads in this area were in a dilapidated state, and we have kept our promise to improve them. Development work is now accelerating across the city under our leadership." Over the past year and a half, significant interventions have been made to enhance pediatric services at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, allowing access to quality healthcare for the underprivileged at an affordable price.

In addition to the NICU, the Mayor announced the establishment of a 50-bed facility above the Trauma Center, with work set to commence shortly. A new Center of Excellence for Health Services will also be established in collaboration with Karachi Metropolitan University, providing specialized treatment for diabetes, skin diseases, and other conditions in a dignified environment, minimizing the need for patients to visit general hospitals. Wahab underscored the ongoing asphalt carpeting work in the city, asserting, "We, the people of the People's Party, fulfill what we promise." He called upon Jamaat-e-Islami Town Chairmen to utilize the available funds for improving the city rather than allowing them to remain idle in accounts.

In conclusion, Mayor Murtaza Wahab emphasized that the assets and revenues of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation are a public trust, dedicated to the betterment of the city’s residents.

The Mayor addressed the historical significance of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, built by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1974, reinforcing his commitment to its continuous enhancement. He welcomed any initiative from Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal aimed at securing additional funding for the hospital.

Concerning the 27th Constitutional Amendment, Wahab affixed responsibilities on elected representatives for legislative matters. He reiterated that any institution using hospital facilities, such as pharmacies and blood banks, must adhere to rental agreements. He assured the public that issues surrounding medicine accessibility would be resolved promptly.