KARACHI – In a major move to bolster the city’s public healthcare infrastructure, the Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) has expanded its Emergency Department from 40 to 100 beds. The newly extended facility was inaugurated today, Wednesday, May 13, by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho.
Key Features of the Expansion
The project, completed by the hospital administration through self-help initiatives, aims to meet modern medical standards and provide streamlined care. Under a specialized one-window operation, all medical services including X-rays and primary diagnostics will be provided to patients in a single location. The fully air-conditioned facility is equipped with an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), ventilators, a centralized oxygen system, and advanced patient monitors. Furthermore, dedicated beds have been allocated specifically for patients suffering from Dengue, infectious diseases, heatstroke, and stroke.
Meeting High Demand
According to the Medical Superintendent of CHK, Dr. Khalid Bukhari, the hospital’s emergency department receives an average of 1,700 to 1,800 patients daily. He noted that previously the hospital was limited to 40 beds, which made managing the high influx of patients a massive challenge. With this 100-bed capacity, the hospital can now provide immediate medical attention to 100 patients simultaneously, ensuring timely intervention for critical cases. The expansion is expected to significantly reduce the burden on other wards and improve the survival rate for trauma and emergency patients arriving at one of Karachi’s largest tertiary care hospitals.