KARACHI: Indus Hospital & Health Network has successfully performed its first pediatric open-heart surgery under its Congenital Heart Services program, marking a major milestone in Pakistan’s healthcare sector and expanding access to free-of-cost advanced cardiac treatment for children.
The landmark procedure was carried out by Dr Zubair Barohi alongside Dr Arjumand Shauq and a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including anaesthetists, ICU staff, technicians, perfusionists, and operating theatre personnel.
Hospital officials said the institution had previously been providing minimally invasive cardiac interventions, which catered to nearly 30 percent of congenital heart disease (CHD) patients.
However, most children requiring complex surgeries had to be referred to other facilities, often facing financial difficulties and lengthy waiting periods.
With the launch of in-house pediatric cardiac surgery services, the hospital aims to bridge a major gap in specialized healthcare, particularly in Karachi, which serves as a referral hub for patients from across the country.
Pediatric open-heart surgery is considered one of the most complex medical procedures, requiring close coordination among multiple departments.
According to the hospital, the surgeries have a success rate of nearly 98 percent and can provide a lifelong cure in many cases.
Healthcare experts note that access to pediatric cardiac surgery remains limited in Sindh, where only a small number of surgeons are trained to perform such operations.
Public hospitals often have waiting lists extending from one to two years, while many private hospitals do not offer comprehensive pediatric cardiac care.
Commenting on the achievement, Prof Syed Zafar Zaidi said the milestone represents the development of a sustainable system capable of delivering complex, life-saving care on a large scale.
“This milestone is not just about one successful surgery it is about building a system that can consistently deliver complex, life-saving care at scale,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan described the development as an emotional moment for the institution, expressing hope that it would help save the lives of countless children whose families struggle to access treatment.
The hospital also announced plans to expand into more advanced and complex cardiac procedures in the near future, reinforcing its mission to provide world-class healthcare services free of cost to patients across Pakistan.
