Islamabad: After remaining closed for years despite being fully constructed with foreign assistance, Islamabad’s 267-bed Infectious Diseases Hospital and Isolation and Treatment Centre (IHITC) and the Regional Blood Centre (RBC) are finally set to become operational, with the federal government handing over their management to the Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN) under a public-private partnership.
The two healthcare facilities, established to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to respond to infectious diseases and provide safe blood transfusion services, are expected to start functioning within weeks, according to Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal.
The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Thursday formally transferred the management and operations of both institutions to the Indus Hospital and Health Network through two separate agreements signed in Islamabad.
Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri signed the agreements on behalf of the federal government, while Dr Abdul Bari Khan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Indus Hospital and Health Network, signed on behalf of IHHN. The ceremony was witnessed by Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, senior ministry officials and representatives of the Indus Hospital and Health Network.
The move follows the federal cabinet’s approval to run both facilities through a public-private partnership after years of delays in making the state-of-the-art institutions operational.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal termed the development a milestone for Pakistan’s public health sector and said the partnership would ensure that two major healthcare assets, which had remained unused despite substantial public investment, finally begin serving patients.
“The hospital and the Regional Blood Centre will become operational within weeks,” the minister said, adding that the government’s objective was not simply to hand over buildings but to ensure the delivery of high-quality, efficient and sustainable healthcare services.
The Islamabad Infectious Diseases Hospital was built with the assistance of the Chinese government to strengthen Pakistan’s preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks, while the Regional Blood Centre was established with German support to improve access to safe, screened blood and blood components. Both facilities have modern infrastructure and advanced medical equipment but had remained non-functional.
Mustafa Kamal said the selection of the Indus Hospital and Health Network followed a transparent and competitive process conducted in accordance with legal requirements and Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.
He said the ministry engaged an independent consultant to carry out a detailed feasibility study and oversee the procurement process before recommending IHHN as the most suitable organisation to manage the two facilities.
According to the minister, the public-private partnership model was developed after extensive technical and financial evaluation and approved by the prime minister before receiving the endorsement of the federal cabinet.
“We are establishing a sustainable healthcare system rather than making temporary arrangements,” he said, expressing confidence that the partnership would ensure efficient management and continuity of services irrespective of future changes in government.
The minister also thanked officials of the Ministry of National Health Services and the Indus Hospital and Health Network for completing the process, saying the collaboration reflected transparency, effective use of public resources and a shared commitment to improving healthcare.
Health officials believe the operationalisation of the infectious diseases hospital will significantly enhance Pakistan’s capacity to diagnose, isolate and treat patients suffering from communicable diseases, while the Regional Blood Centre will strengthen blood safety services in Islamabad and support public hospitals facing increasing demand for screened blood products.
The launch of both facilities is also expected to reduce the burden on major tertiary care hospitals in the federal capital and improve the country’s preparedness for future infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
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