- Proposed facility aims to establish Sindh’s first public-sector Comprehensive Stroke Centre and build a province-wide network for timely, specialised care
KARACHI: First Lady Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari, MNA, was briefed on the vision and implementation roadmap for the proposed Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Comprehensive Stroke Centre, a major initiative aimed at strengthening specialised stroke care in Sindh and improving access to life-saving treatment.
The briefing was delivered by Dr Syed Fazal Zaidi, Professor of Neurology at the University of Toledo, internationally recognised vascular and interventional neurologist and Founding Director of the JPMC Comprehensive Stroke Programme, along with Mr Mushtaq Chapra, Chairman of the Patient Aid Foundation.
Sindh Faces Growing Stroke Burden
During the briefing, Dr Zaidi highlighted the increasing burden of stroke in Sindh, noting that the province, with a population of more than 55 million, records an estimated 500 stroke cases each day, including approximately 50 patients suffering severe strokes requiring highly specialised medical intervention.
He stressed the urgent need to strengthen the public healthcare system by establishing a Comprehensive Stroke Centre capable of providing rapid, specialised and potentially life-saving treatment.
Proposed Centre to Address Critical Healthcare Gap
The First Lady was informed that while the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) and Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (SICVD) provide valuable treatment for patients suffering ischemic strokes, Sindh currently lacks a comprehensive public-sector facility capable of managing the full spectrum of stroke emergencies.
The proposed JPMC centre is envisioned to provide specialised treatment for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, as well as complex neurovascular emergencies, advanced neuro-interventional procedures, neurocritical care and specialised rehabilitation.
Pakistan Stroke Initiative Leads Collaborative Effort
Dr Zaidi said the initiative is being led by the Pakistan Stroke Initiative, a US-based non-profit organisation established to advance stroke care in Pakistan, in partnership with the Patient Aid Foundation, JPMC and the Government of Sindh.
The collaboration aims to establish Sindh’s first public-sector Comprehensive Stroke Centre, providing advanced clinical services, specialist training and research while serving as the central hub of a province-wide tele-stroke network.
Patient Aid Foundation Reaffirms Commitment
Mr Mushtaq Chapra reaffirmed the Patient Aid Foundation’s longstanding commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s public healthcare system through strategic philanthropic partnerships.
He said the Foundation remains committed to supporting the development of world-class medical infrastructure at JPMC and promoting equitable access to advanced healthcare services for patients regardless of their financial circumstances.
Vision for Pakistan’s First Public-Sector Stroke Network
The delegation also presented a long-term plan to develop Pakistan’s first public-sector Comprehensive Stroke Network over the next three to five years.
The proposed network would focus on:
- Training stroke neurologists and neuro-interventional specialists;
- Expanding specialised stroke services across the province;
- Strengthening emergency referral and patient-transfer pathways;
- Standardising stroke diagnosis and treatment protocols; and
- Connecting district hospitals through an integrated tele-stroke network.
The initiative is intended to bring specialised expertise closer to patients in underserved areas and enable faster diagnosis and treatment, particularly during the critical early stages of stroke.
First Lady Expresses Full Support
First Lady Asifa Bhutto Zardari appreciated the collaborative efforts of the Pakistan Stroke Initiative, Patient Aid Foundation and JPMC to improve stroke care in Pakistan.
She emphasised the importance of strengthening specialised stroke services and expressed her full support for initiatives aimed at reducing preventable deaths and long-term disability caused by stroke.
She noted that the proposed initiative could make a significant contribution to saving lives, improving patient outcomes and expanding access to specialised healthcare services.
A Landmark Public-Sector Healthcare Initiative
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing the JPMC Comprehensive Stroke Centre as a landmark public-sector healthcare initiative.
The proposed centre is expected to complement existing healthcare services, strengthen Sindh’s overall stroke-care system and expand access to high-quality specialised treatment for patients across Sindh and Pakistan.
Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab was also present during the briefing.
BY: Nadeem Faisal Baiga
