Saudi-Funded Islamabad Hospital Set for Contract After 20-Year Delay
The federal government plans to award the construction contract for the Saudi-funded King Salman Hospital in Islamabad within 15 days, Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said on Tuesday.
The 400-bed hospital project has been delayed for nearly 20 years. Kamal said 12 companies took part in the bidding, which closed on September 7.
The first 200-bed phase is expected to be completed within two years. The government has also updated the project’s old design to match current healthcare needs.
Kamal also said the 400-bed expansion of the Federal Government Polyclinic in Islamabad is expected to be completed by March 2027.
The government is expanding hospital capacity as public hospitals in Islamabad face growing pressure. The issue gained further attention after a fire at PIMS on August 26 killed 14 newborns.
Kamal said the government has ordered fire-safety and structural checks of federal health facilities. The Capital Development Authority has been given 15 days to complete the audits.
The minister also announced a Rs. 6.8 billion diabetes screening program. It will start in Islamabad and later expand to other provinces.
Kamal said the government estimates that around 45 million people in Pakistan may have diabetes, with millions still not screened.