Pakistan’s first free pulmonary rehabilitation center has been inaugurated at the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Ojha Campus in Karachi, marking a major step forward in the country’s respiratory healthcare services.
The facility, named the Dr Syed Ashiq Hussain Rehabilitation Center, was opened by Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Nazli Hussain Hossain at the Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases. The center has been dedicated to the memory of the late Dr Syed Ashiq Hussain, former head of the institute.
At the same ceremony, Dr Nazli Hossain also inaugurated the Intravenous Admixture and Compounding Pharmacy, designed to prepare ready-to-use syringes for high-cost, fast-acting injections prescribed for chest diseases — a move aimed at preventing misuse and ensuring patient safety.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice Chancellor said the establishment of both centers represents Dow University’s commitment to providing advanced and accessible healthcare. “These initiatives will greatly enhance our ability to deliver quality treatment and rehabilitation to patients suffering from chest diseases,” she added.
Professor Iftikhar Ahmed, Director of the Institute, noted that the Ojha Institute already provides free diagnosis, treatment, and medicines for patients with chest ailments, including a specialized ICU for tuberculosis patients — a facility unique in Pakistan.
During the briefing, officials highlighted that hundreds of patients are treated daily at the Ojha Institute, and the new rehabilitation center will fill a long-standing need for post-treatment recovery support. Trained physiotherapists have been appointed to assist patients in regaining normal respiratory function and improving their quality of life.
The event was attended by Dr Iftikhar Ahmed, Dr Murtaza Soho, Dr Niaz Soomro, Dr Faisal Asad, Dr Faisal Fayaz Zubairi, and other senior faculty members of the institute.
