Karachi: In a significant development for healthcare in Sindh, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, inaugurated several new state-of-the-art health facilities at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) today. The additions include a 120-bed Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, a 110-bed Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, and the cutting-edge CyberKnife S7-FIM, enhancing the center’s capacity to provide top-tier, free medical services.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, during the inauguration ceremony, Chairman Bhutto Zardari emphasized the quality of healthcare institutions in Sindh, notably JPMC, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), and the National Institute of Child Health (NICH). He pointed out that these facilities exemplify effective governance and successful public-private partnerships under the PPP-led provincial government, particularly post the 18th Constitutional Amendment. “You may have heard criticisms suggesting that the Sindh government does nothing or that we don’t undertake mega projects. But actions speak louder than words,” stated Bhutto Zardari.

Chairman Bhutto Zardari further highlighted the unique offerings of JPMC, such as the free CyberKnife cancer treatment, a rarity worldwide. He proudly mentioned that while this advanced treatment costs over a thousand dollars abroad, it is provided free of charge at JPMC, placing it among the few global institutions with such capabilities. Additionally, he celebrated the international recognition of JPMC’s cancer treatment department, which has been ranked among the top ten by the Royal College of Radiology.

Contrasting the health policies of other provincial governments, Chairman Bhutto Zardari underscored Sindh’s commitment to free and quality healthcare, critiquing the focus on private hospitals through health cards in other regions. He also expressed his willingness to support the establishment of similar healthcare facilities in Punjab and discussed ongoing efforts to set up such institutions in Balochistan.

The ceremony also saw the signing of a new partnership between the Patients’ Aid Foundation and the Sindh Government, aimed at enhancing the Radiation Oncology Section at JPMC, with key government and party leaders in attendance.