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Pakistan has inaugurated its first vascular hybrid suite in Karachi — a major medical upgrade aimed at reducing amputations caused by diabetes, chronic ulcers, and vascular diseases. The facility has been set up at the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma (SMBBIT) and was inaugurated by Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho.
Speaking at the ceremony, the minister said the goal is to move toward a healthcare system where preventable limb loss becomes far less common. Hybrid vascular surgery combines advanced imaging technology with surgical capability, allowing doctors to diagnose and treat blocked or damaged blood vessels in a single, highly controlled environment — improving precision, recovery time, and patient outcomes.
Dr Pechuho described the project as a historic healthcare milestone, emphasizing that modern vascular interventions can dramatically cut the number of diabetes-related amputations — a serious and growing health concern in Pakistan.
She also addressed broader healthcare challenges, noting a shortage of anesthetists at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and announcing that a specialized training program is being launched at Civil Hospital to fill the gap.
On public health concerns, the minister acknowledged rising dog-bite incidents in Karachi, stating that relevant authorities have been informed while stressing that stray animal control falls under local government jurisdiction.
Looking ahead, she revealed that two additional state-of-the-art trauma centers are being established in Karachi. These centers are expected to ease overcrowding and significantly improve emergency and trauma care access once operational.
