PPP-led government in Sindh has done wonders in health sector: Umar Rehman Malik

Abdullah Jan

Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik this week said that the PPP-led government in Sindh has done wonders in the health sector.

“Under leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PPP has achieved a milestone in healthcare for Sindh. Karachi’s Chest Pain Units (CPUs), an initiative of @nicvd_karachi,” he posted on X.

He said the CPUs have handled over 900,000 cases in six years, delivering rapid, life-saving cardiac care free of cost, 24/7.

“This groundbreaking achievement reflects @PPP_Org’s unwavering commitment to accessible and quality healthcare, ensuring that people across country particularly Sindh receive the medical attention they need in critical moments,” the PPP leader said.

Umar Rehman Malik mentioned that the PPP’s dedication to public welfare shines through in every project aimed at building a healthier, safer future for all.

A study from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) said more than 900,000 people sought emergency care at Karachi’s 18 CPUs over the last six years, with a significant percentage under age 40.

The study, which was published in the leading global health journal The Lancet, has identified young men in particular as an at-risk demographic for severe heart conditions. Among those evaluated at these CPUs, approximately 24 percent required further medical intervention, with around 9 percent suffering from acute heart attacks.

Launched in 2017, NICVD’s 18 CPUs have transformed emergency cardiac care in Karachi, targeting high-density areas to offer swift diagnosis and timely transfer to primary care centers. The CPUs have not only alleviated pressure on NICVD’s main facility but have also significantly increased early intervention rates for heart attack patients, particularly those with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or serious heart attack.

Data indicate a 17-fold rise in quarterly STEMI cases treated since the CPUs’ inception, demonstrating the effectiveness of this decentralized, community-focused approach. The data emphasize the demographics of those seeking care at these CPUs. Out of all patients screened, 61% were male and 39% female, with 38% of patients aged 40 or younger. Many of these young patients exhibited symptoms indicative of serious cardiac conditions, including heart attacks and unstable angina.

Of the patients requiring further treatment, 9% were diagnosed with STEMI, and 29% with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) or unstable angina, highlighting a notable prevalence of critical cardiac conditions among Karachi’s youth.

“The youth profile of heart attack patients is troubling,” noted the study’s authors, linking these cases to risk factors prevalent in urban populations, such as stress, poor diet, and limited physical activity. Karachi’s crowded, often resource-limited health infrastructure had previously struggled to provide rapid intervention to heart patients across the sprawling metropolis of over 23 million people.

Each CPU is staffed by a cardiologist and equipped with essential diagnostic tools, including ECG machines and medications for immediate intervention. The CPUs’ strategic locations in congested neighborhoods ensure that patients can access life-saving assessments quickly.

Following an initial evaluation, patients requiring emergency care are transferred via ambulance to the NICVD’s main center for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a critical treatment for heart attacks.

For STEMI or heart-attack patients, the CPUs reduced “first medical contact to device time” to a median of 100 minutes, a key metric in preventing long-term damage during heart attacks. Additionally, the median “total ischemic time”—the time from symptom onset to treatment—was 232 minutes.

As a result of the CPU initiative, the NICVD’s primary PCI (Emergency Angioplasty) caseload has steadily increased, with an estimated annual growth of 16–20% in procedures. By 2023, the NICVD performed over 9,000 primary PCIs—a significant increase from previous years.

In-hospital mortality rates for STEMI patients receiving primary PCI have been maintained between 5.1% and 6.9%, aligning with rates observed in developed countries despite Karachi’s unique challenges.

According to the study, the CPUs have contributed to a broader understanding of cardiovascular health trends in Pakistan, as well as the factors that may be accelerating early-onset cardiac issues in younger populations.