Islamabad: Shifa International Hospital has announced a “No Questions Asked” emergency policy under which patients arriving with suspected heart attacks or strokes will receive immediate life-saving treatment without any assessment of their ability to pay at the point of entry.
Shifa International Hospitals Limited Chief Executive Officer Dr Zeeshan Bin Ishtiaque said emergency teams would begin treatment for stroke and acute myocardial infarction patients within the critical golden time window, stressing that financial screening would not delay care in these time-sensitive conditions.
“Emergency is an emergency. Whoever arrives at Shifa with a heart attack or stroke will be taken care of regardless of financial status,” the hospital said, describing the move as uninterrupted emergency care for two of Pakistan’s biggest killers.
Doctors say minutes can mean the difference between life and death, or between full recovery and lifelong disability. In heart attacks, rapid diagnosis and restoration of blood flow are crucial, while in stroke, early assessment and treatment can prevent paralysis, speech loss and permanent brain damage.
The policy comes against the backdrop of widespread delays in emergency care in Pakistan, where families are often forced to arrange money before treatment begins, even in critical situations. Health experts say removing upfront financial barriers at emergency entry can save lives by cutting dangerous delays in triage, imaging and urgent interventions.
Shifa clarified that while emergency treatment will not be withheld over payment, financial arrangements will be addressed after the patient has been stabilised.
Pakistan is facing a growing burden of non communicable diseases, with heart disease and stroke now among the leading causes of death. Health analysts say moves that prioritise time-critical care over paperwork could set an important precedent for private sector hospitals in the country.
Ends