KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab inaugurated the country’s first hemophilia ward dedicated to women at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. The ward offers modern facilities, privacy, and free treatment for female patients.
The facility includes separate rooms and beds, specialist doctors, trained nurses, and round-the-clock clotting factor medicines. Patients and caregivers will also benefit from awareness sessions on managing the disease and preventing complications.
Speaking at the ceremony, Wahab said hemophilia affects both men and women. “This ward is a ray of hope for patients, as expensive treatment for hemophilia is now available to ordinary citizens,” he added.
He thanked the Pakistan Hemophilia Society, especially Azmatullah Lund, for partnering with the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation under a public-private partnership. The Society had proposed hemophilia wards in KMC hospitals six months ago. Since then, male and female patients at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital have been receiving free treatment.
Wahab noted that patients come not only from District Central but also from across Karachi and interior Sindh, including Hyderabad and Larkana. He said services that cost hundreds of thousands of rupees in private hospitals are now available free. Patients and families praised the new facilities.
The mayor also announced that costly hemophilia lab tests will now be conducted free at the hospital, providing one-window care. Plans are underway to open a new gynecology ward with similar facilities, which will eventually expand to all KMC hospitals.
— ALSO READ —
Karachi gets 100 new informal schools under BECS
He suggested premarital hemophilia testing to detect the disease early and said legislation in this regard would be fast-tracked with media support to raise awareness.
On hospital discipline, Wahab warned against political flags and posters in medical facilities and promised strict action against violators. He assured doctors that their pending dues would be cleared and reminded KMC staff of their duty to serve citizens.
Regarding city development, he said thousands of illegal shops along the nullah at 7000 Road in District Central have blocked action. Rehabilitation work on 106 roads has begun, with billions allocated for Model Colony, New Karachi, and North Nazimabad. Contractors delivering substandard work will be blacklisted.
Wahab also reported that repairs on a damaged section of the new Hub Canal have been completed, while work on the old canal is expected to finish by December 31.
