Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has inaugurated the Pakistan-China Friendship Hospital in Chak Shahzad, Islamabad. The facility will provide free medical treatment through a public-private partnership with the Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN).
The hospital was previously known as Margalla Hospital. The federal government renamed it on the prime minister’s instructions to recognise China’s contribution to its establishment.
Speaking at the inauguration, Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Chinese government for supporting the project. He described the hospital as another practical example of the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong welcomed the new name. He said it reflected the strong relationship between the two countries.
Five Major Departments to Offer Free Treatment
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said the renovated hospital would provide free healthcare through five major departments.
The facility includes maternal and child healthcare services, modern operating theatres and other medical facilities. Its management and operations have been entrusted to the Indus Hospital and Health Network, which provides free healthcare services across Pakistan.
The partnership aims to restore the hospital’s operations and make its medical infrastructure accessible to a wider population.
China Provided $4 Million Grant for Hospital Construction
China supported the hospital’s establishment during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. According to official sources, Beijing provided a grant of $4 million, while the total construction cost reached approximately Rs980 million.
Originally named the Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre, the facility was built in just 40 days by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Institute of Health (NIH).
The hospital was inaugurated in July 2020 to isolate and treat patients with COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
However, after the pandemic emergency eased, staffing shortages and operational challenges left the facility underused for several years. According to the health minister, it remained non-functional until 2025.
Indus Hospital and Health Network to Manage Operations
Located near the National Institute of Health in Chak Shahzad, the hospital covers approximately 40 kanals. Its infrastructure includes patient wards, laboratories, administrative offices and other essential medical facilities.
To restore its operations, the federal government secured cabinet approval for a partnership with the Indus Hospital and Health Network.
On July 31, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination signed agreements with the network covering the management and operation of the hospital and Islamabad’s Regional Blood Centre.
The partnership is expected to improve healthcare delivery and ensure the facility operates effectively.
Hospital to Support Healthcare in Islamabad
The hospital’s reopening is expected to provide relief to families in Chak Shahzad and nearby communities by expanding access to free medical treatment.
It could also help reduce pressure on other government hospitals in Islamabad by increasing the availability of healthcare facilities.
The project highlights how Pakistan-China cooperation can extend beyond infrastructure and economic development to include public health and essential services.
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