Karachi: The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) has been directed to begin preparations for a future heart transplant programme as its governing body approved in principle an Advanced Heart Failure Programme based on Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) technology.
The decision was taken at the 85th meeting of the NICVD Governing Body, chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at the Chief Minister House on Monday.
The governing body authorised NICVD to begin preparatory work for the future Heart Transplant Programme, while approving in principle the establishment of an Advanced Heart Failure Programme using LVAD technology.
NICVD management was also directed to collaborate with leading national and international institutions for technical assistance, training and capacity building for the advanced cardiac care initiatives.
The meeting reviewed NICVD’s performance during 2025 and was informed that the institute handled 296,731 emergency consultations and 443,610 outpatient consultations during the year.
According to figures presented before the governing body, NICVD performed 9,279 primary PCI procedures, 3,069 paediatric catheterisation procedures and interventions, 5,649 early invasive procedures, 889 elective angioplasties and more than 1,400 cardiac surgeries in 2025.
The institute also performed 291 PTMC procedures, 40 TAVI procedures and 18,875 angiographies, while 54,295 patients were admitted and 88,165 echocardiography examinations were carried out during the year.
The governing body was further informed that more than 1.32 million patients from outside Sindh were treated at NICVD Karachi between 2019 and 2025, including patients from Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Major expansion projects were also reviewed, including construction of a separate 300-bed Paediatric Cardiology Unit, planned as a seven-storey facility with five operation theatres, four catheterisation laboratories, a hybrid laboratory and advanced diagnostic facilities.
The meeting also reviewed development of a new 100-bed cardiac emergency centre and a modern outpatient department spread over 59,000 square feet. NICVD management was directed to ensure timely completion of the ongoing projects.
The governing body approved the voluntary appointment of US-based cardiologist Prof Javed Suleman as Professor of Cardiology and Medical Director at NICVD without any financial liability to the institute or the Sindh government.
It also approved creation of a BPS-17 Medical Officer post for the Paediatric Cardiology Department and recruitment of a Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, both BPS-19 positions, on two-year contracts.
On employee promotions and up-gradations, the governing body considered a request to process cases under the existing NICVD Employees (Service) Rules and Regulations, 2016, until revised regulations for 2025-26 receive final approval.
The chief minister, however, directed NICVD to first get the revised rules vetted by the Law Department before considering promotion cases.
Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, MPAs Rukhsana Parveen and Sadia Javed, Health Secretary Tahir Sangi, Finance Secretary Asghar Memon, NICVD Executive Director Prof Tahir Saghir, Patients’ Aid Foundation founder Mushtaq Chhapra, Prof Shahid Sami and other governing body members attended the meeting.