Latest news with #NICVD
Arab News
15-07-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Heart disease kills more Pakistani women than previously understood — study
ISLAMABAD: Heart disease is killing more women in Pakistan than previously understood, with female patients experiencing higher mortality rates, more severe symptoms and delayed diagnoses compared to men, according to a landmark hospital-based study published this week. The paper, 'Burden of cardiovascular disease in women: data from Pakistan's largest cardiac hospital network,' was released in npj Women's Health this month and analyzed data from over 14,800 patients treated at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD). It found that women with heart conditions are more likely to die than men, despite presenting at a younger age in some cases and with more complex symptoms. 'Women are diagnosed at a later stage, have delayed surgical referrals, and have poorer post-operative outcomes than males,' the researchers wrote. 'There is a scarcity of data from South Asia due to underrepresentation of women in studies, which limits the development of evidence-based guidelines.' The study used prospective data collected from three patient registries, valve disease, coronary catheterization, and structural interventions, between October 2022 and June 2024. It discovered that females are more likely than males to suffer from valvular heart disease (VHD) and present at a considerably younger age. Females also had a higher likelihood of mitral valve disease than males, who were more likely to have aortic valve disease. Rheumatic heart disease was the leading cause of all left-sided VHD. Among women admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the study noted a 'significantly higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension' and that women experienced 'a significantly higher rate of death, longer door-to-balloon time, and total ischemic time.' The authors stressed that gender disparities in cardiac care in Pakistan are systemic, with women often excluded from clinical trials, underdiagnosed in hospitals and referred for surgical or interventional treatment far too late. 'Understanding the burden and presentation of cardiovascular disease in women is crucial to improving outcomes,' the paper stated, warning that Pakistan lacks gender-disaggregated cardiac data on a national level. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide for women, and the burden is rising fastest in low- and middle-income countries. In Pakistan, non-communicable diseases account for over 60 percent of all deaths, according to the World Health Organization. Yet gender-specific health data remains scarce, and preventive screening for women is rarely prioritized. The authors called for improved surveillance, early detection programs and 'urgent inclusion of women in cardiovascular clinical research' to address the growing crisis. 'The development of targeted awareness programs and community-based screening could play a critical role,' they wrote. Pakistan's public health system remains underfunded, and most cardiovascular care is concentrated in a few urban centers like NICVD. Experts warn that without immediate policy intervention, gender inequities in care could worsen as risk factors like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension continue to rise. The researchers concluded: 'Tailored public health policies and investments in gender-sensitive health care delivery are urgently needed to reduce the cardiovascular disease burden in women.'
Express Tribune
30-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
NICVD to get international-standard clinical trials unit
The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) is setting up an international-standard clinical trials unit, aimed at promoting medical research and attracting foreign funding. The unit is to be established on the upper floor of the old Outpatient Department (OPD) building, and will comply with the guidelines of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). NICVD Executive Director, Tahir Saghir, stated that the facility will support advanced research and improve treatment quality, particularly for children who have had to seek cardiac care abroad due to lack of local facilities. The project is being developed under a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model, with a private firm constructing and handing over the unit, while NICVD focuses on monitoring. The facility will also include a conference hall and library. The lower floor of the old OPD will be converted into an expanded emergency ward, increasing the current bed capacity from 80 to between 160 and 180, while a centralised medical hall will accommodate multiple emergency departments. A new OPD building is also under construction and expected to become operational by October or November. This project is also being executed under the BOT model, with an estimated cost of Rs1.25 billion. The building will have a separate entrance from outside the hospital, to reduce congestion within the main building. Further, the first phase of the pediatric block is expected to be partially functional by November, offering dedicated emergency, ward, and ICU facilities for children. Currently, only one pediatric ward exists, where up to three children often share a single bed. With only two operation theatres available for children, pediatric patients also share cath labs and surgical facilities with adult patients. Despite reduced federal funding, the Sindh government has allocated Rs2.5 billion for the pediatric block, in order to support the completion of two underground levels, and two floors, including all required pediatric facilities.
Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
NICVD boss dismisses corruption charges
Professor Tahir Saghir, Executive Director of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), has denied allegations of financial irregularities, claiming that the institute operates with full transparency and a commitment to public service. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Prof. Saghir said that the NICVD provides free treatment to over 2,000 patients daily, including 35-40 emergency angioplasties, alongside 1,000-1,200 emergency cases and 800-1,000 OPD visits. "This is a high-volume centre, and our teams work day and night to serve patients," he added. About corruption charges, Prof Saghir clarified that the NICVD undergoes both government and private audits annually. While audit objections are routine, he said that all queries are responded to with detailed explanations. He highlighted procurement reforms, saying that previously only 20-30% of medical supplies were acquired through tenders, whereas now over 90% of purchases are processed via the Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (SPPRA) digital system, minimising human intervention. "This data is also shared with international bodies, including the IMF," he added. Refuting a human rights report alleging Rs40 billion in corruption, Prof Saghir pointed out that the NICVD's total annual budget is only Rs9 billion. "Where did the extra Rs31 billion come from? Yet, surgeries and medicines continued uninterrupted," he questioned, terming the accusations baseless and malicious. He cited Sindh government recognition of the institute's performance, which led to an increased budget after NICVD saved Rs1 billion last year, followed by an additional Rs2 billion allocation. Prof Saghir provided an example of emergency decision-making, explaining that when the main A/C unit in the emergency ward failed, the administration hired temporary cooling systems for Rs200,000-250,000 to ensure patient comfort, bypassing lengthy tender procedures.
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Police on notice over 'assault' on student by hospital staff
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Saturday summoned records from relevant authorities while hearing a petition challenging the appointment of Syed Mustafa Hassan as the administrator of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD). The petitioner's counsel argued that Hassan, originally appointed as an assistant engineer (Grade 11) based on a mechanical diploma, was unlawfully promoted to Grade 18 without due process. The lawyer contended that Hassan's initial appointment lacked transparency as no advertisement was published, and no proper selection procedure was followed. Hassan's primary responsibilities reportedly included maintenance of air conditioners and lifts, yet he was allegedly favoured with rapid promotions — first to Grade 16 and later to Grade 18 — before being appointed as NICVD administrator. After hearing the petition, the SHC issued notices to relevant authorities directing them to furnish records of the appointment. Meanwhile, the additional and sessions judge for District South has issued notices to police officials on a petition filed by a female student alleging assault at the cardio hospital. The petitioner, Atiya Tariq, claimed in her plea that she was assaulted by hospital staff after she attempted to record an incident in which her mother was denied treatment. According to the petitioner, a security guard verbally abused her, after which four men and a woman forcibly confined her to a room, physically assaulted her, and stole Rs50,000 from her purse. The petitioner further stated that she could identify the perpetrators but that police refused to register an FIR.
Express Tribune
03-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
NICVD takes in two child patients expelled by India
In a humanitarian move, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) has taken responsibility for the free treatment of two children who returned from India without receiving medical care. Nine-year-old Abdullah and seven-year-old Mansa are both suffering from congenital heart defects. The children belong to a family from Hyderabad that had traveled to India in search of treatment. However, due to heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, they were forced to return abruptly without undergoing any procedures. Upon their return, NICVD immediately formed a high-level medical board comprising pediatric cardiologists, anesthesiologists, and CT scan specialists. After a thorough evaluation, the board concluded that both children could safely undergo complex cardiac surgeries at NICVD in Karachi, eliminating the need for treatment abroad. The hospital's senior medical team briefed the children's father in detail about the surgical procedures, recovery process, and expected outcomes. Expressing full confidence in the institute and its expert team, the father said NICVD had rekindled hope for his family after the treatment setback in India. Currently, the father is consulting additional specialists at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) in Rawalpindi. Once those consultations are complete, the children's surgeries will be scheduled at NICVD. These complex procedures will be carried out entirely free of cost, reflecting NICVD and the Sindh government's commitment to providing world-class cardiac care to all Pakistanis without financial burden. NICVD is Pakistan's largest and most advanced cardiac care institution, offering state-of-the-art treatment to both children and adults. Its mission is to ensure that no heart patient in the country is left untreated due to financial constraints.
