Karachi: After a 12-year hiatus, the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases has resumed the installation of permanent pacemakers. The hospital successfully placed the first pacemaker in a patient, marking a significant advancement in the availability of cardiac procedures in the city. This development is part of a broader initiative to offer comprehensive cardiac services, including elective PCI, primary PCI, and angiography, to residents of Karachi.

According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, the revival of these services, which had been suspended for over a decade, is a significant achievement for the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases. Mayor Wahab commended the hospital’s executive director, Professor Dr. Riffat, and her team for their efforts in re-establishing these critical procedures. The Pakistan Peoples Party, under whose jurisdiction the initiative falls, is committed to enhancing medical facilities for citizens as part of its manifesto.

The hospital administration’s efforts are seen as a boon for residents in the central, eastern, and western districts of Karachi, who now have improved access to affordable cardiac care. The institute is also offering 100% scholarship training in nursing for the youth and has established a satellite link with the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases to enhance the treatment system, with plans for further enhancements.

Dr. Riffat briefed Mayor Wahab on the successful resumption of pacemaker installations, emphasizing the challenges and risks involved in the procedures. The patient who received the pacemaker is recovering well, thanks to the collective efforts of the hospital’s departments. Dr. Riffat expressed gratitude to Mayor Wahab, Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, and Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi for their support, which was instrumental in reactivating these vital medical services.

Mayor Wahab highlighted the importance of dedication and hard work in improving the city’s medical institutions, stressing that if all departments work effectively, positive changes will be evident.