Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the reopening of the China-funded hospital in Chak Shahzad, Islamabad, assuring that patients from across the country will receive completely free medical treatment at the facility.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for providing the hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic. He regretted that the facility had been shut down after the pandemic ended, despite its important role in treating patients during the health crisis.
Criticising the previous government without directly naming it, the premier said the hospital had delivered effective services during Covid-19 but was subsequently left unused. He described its closure as an example of neglect that deprived vulnerable and underprivileged people of essential healthcare.
The prime minister also apologised for the prolonged delay in restoring the facility, noting that it had remained closed since 2020 despite being established through Chinese assistance.
He said the hospital had previously been named Margalla Hospital, but he decided to rename it Pak-China Friendship Hospital to acknowledge China’s contribution and strengthen the symbolism of bilateral ties.
Shehbaz Sharif said the government had restored the facility and entrusted its management to the Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN), with a commitment to provide free treatment to every patient, regardless of their place of residence.
He added that the hospital would serve not only Islamabad but also neighbouring regions, improving access to healthcare for a wider population.
The reopening marks a renewed effort to utilise the healthcare facility, which was originally established with Chinese support to strengthen medical services in the capital and surrounding areas.
The hospital, now named Pak-China Friendship Hospital, was initially developed as the Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre (IHITC) during the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020.
The project was completed by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) within just 40 days.
According to sources, China provided a grant of $4 million for the project, while the overall construction cost was estimated at approximately Rs980 million. The facility was formally inaugurated in July 2020 to provide isolation and treatment services for Covid-19 patients and people suffering from other infectious diseases.
Situated near the National Institute of Health, the hospital covers around 40 kanals and includes patient wards, laboratories, administrative offices and other essential facilities. However, operational difficulties and a shortage of medical staff limited its use for several years.
To restore the hospital’s operations, the federal government adopted a public-private partnership arrangement and selected the Indus Hospital and Health Network to oversee its management.
On July 31, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination signed agreements with IHHN for the management and operation of the hospital, as well as the Regional Blood Centre in Islamabad. The arrangement was finalised after receiving approval from the federal cabinet.
