Sindh to Build New 600-Bed Hospital Offering Free Treatment in Larkana
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari laid the foundation stone for a 600-bed hospital in Larkana, which is expected to be completed by 2028 and will offer free medical treatment to residents of the city and surrounding underserved areas. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also attended the ceremony, where Project Director Yasir Bhatti briefed officials on the project.
The new medical facility marks a substantial expansion of public health infrastructure in the region. Local communities have relied heavily on legacy institutions for decades, making the addition of a modern 600-bed hospital a major development for healthcare access in the province.
Why the New Larkana Hospital Is Being Built
Speaking at the event, Bilawal said the need for a new hospital became clear during his visit to Chandka Hospital after being elected to the National Assembly from Larkana. He noted that Chandka Hospital was built in the 1970s for a much smaller population but now serves patients from Larkana and nearby cities. He said the new facility would help address the growing demand for healthcare services in the region.
Over the decades, population growth and urban migration placed immense strain on Chandka Hospital. Medical professionals and local administrators frequently pointed out that the older facility struggled to cope with the sheer volume of patients arriving from neighboring districts.
Free Medical Treatment Through SIUT Partnership
Bilawal also said residents would be able to receive medical treatment through the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation. This collaboration brings specialized institutional expertise to the new facility, ensuring that advanced medical care remains accessible without financial barriers for the local population.
The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation holds a strong reputation across Pakistan for delivering high quality healthcare completely free of charge. Integrating this model into the new Larkana hospital guarantees that patients will not face out of pocket expenses for critical treatments.
Water Supply and Sewerage Upgrades in Larkana
Apart from the hospital project, the PPP chairman announced plans to improve water supply and sewerage services in Larkana. Work has begun to restore and expand the Ratodero water supply scheme, while the city's sewerage system will be upgraded to meet its needs for the next 25 years.
Infrastructure development in the region extends beyond healthcare to address long standing municipal challenges. Upgrading the sewerage network ensures proper sanitation management as the urban population continues to expand in the coming decades.
Progress on Regional Water and Sanitation Projects
During a separate meeting at Bhutto House in Naudero, Public Health Engineering Secretary Sohail Qureshi informed officials that the feasibility study for Larkana's water supply, sewerage, and rainwater drainage project had been completed. The project aims to provide clean drinking water to every household in the city within two years. Meanwhile, 50 percent of the Shahdadkot sewerage scheme has been completed, with the remaining work expected to finish next year.
Government engineers and municipal planners have mapped out specific timelines to complete these utility upgrades. Providing reliable piped water directly to households eliminates the reliance on older, contaminated distribution channels.
Higher Education Funding in Sindh Province
Bilawal also highlighted the Sindh government's investment in higher education, saying the province currently provides Rs. 45 billion to universities and plans to increase funding. Provincial authorities maintain that supporting academic institutions is vital for long term economic and social development across the region.
Higher education institutions in Sindh face recurring financial pressures, making provincial budgetary support essential for their daily operations. Plans to increase funding reflect an ongoing commitment to stabilizing university finances and expanding educational opportunities for youth.
