High Dependency Unit to be established at Nishtar Hospital for COVID-19 patients

KARACHI: As part of the PKR 1 billion Hussain Dawood Pledge, PKR 12 million has been committed to establish an Intensive Care Unit (ICU)-High Dependency Unit (HDU) at Nishtar Medical University & Hospital, Multan, to enhance COVID-19 patient care and facilities, in particular for the underprivileged sections of society.

The project will be implemented and monitored by Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), a civil society organization with countrywide presence and outreach. Under the project, the financial assistance will be used to set up and operationalize a 16-bed, dedicated ICU-HDU facility with medical equipment.

According to Sabrina Dawood, Chief Executive Officer of The Dawood Foundation, “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the immediate need for improvement in our nationwide healthcare system – both in facilities as well as training. Through this contribution, we aim to build the capacity of Nishtar Hospital to deliver critical patient care and enable it to continue to serve the general population in the best possible manner.”

Professor Dr. Mustafa Kamal Pasha, Vice Chancellor of Nishtar Medical University, added that, “As one of the oldest and most reputable medical institutions in Pakistan, Nishtar Hospital serves a large segment of population, especially from the underprivileged groups, across Punjab. The critical care facility being established with this financial support is need of the hour and will help save precious lives.”

This initiative to enable improved patient care and facilities is part of the PKR 1 billion pledge made by Mr. Hussain Dawood, Chairman of Engro Corporation and Dawood Hercules Corporation. Under this pledge, the Group is supporting COVID-19 relief efforts in services, cash and kind on multiple fronts, including:

• Disease prevention, with a major focus on testing and diagnostics. • Protecting and enabling healthcare practitioners and other key workers, who are at the frontline of the fight against this pandemic. • Enabling patient care and facilities • Bolstering livelihoods and sustenance of the most deserving in society.