KARACHI: The Sindh cabinet has approved construction of a 13-storey, 445-bed Bilquis & Abdul Sattar Edhi Medical Tower at the National Institute of Child Health under a $17 million public-private partnership project.
The provincial government will develop the medical tower in partnership with the Abdul Sattar Edhi Foundation, combining public funding with the foundation’s financial contribution.
The cabinet approved the project during a meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.
Once completed, the new tower will add 445 beds to the healthcare infrastructure at NICH, expanding the physical capacity of the children’s hospital in Karachi.
Edhi Foundation to Contribute $10 Million
Under the approved financing arrangement, the Abdul Sattar Edhi Foundation will contribute $10 million towards the project’s total cost.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government will provide the remaining $7 million through a grant-in-aid.
The provincial administration will release its contribution in two equal instalments during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 financial years.
Consequently, the project will receive government funding over two consecutive fiscal years while the Edhi Foundation provides the larger share of the overall investment.
Faisal Edhi to Head Project Supervisory Committee
Furthermore, the cabinet approved the establishment of a supervisory committee headed by Faisal Edhi to oversee implementation of the medical tower project.
The committee will monitor construction and other implementation matters while ensuring transparency in financial management.
Additionally, it will supervise the utilisation of funds released by the Sindh government for the project.
The public-private partnership brings together the provincial government and one of Pakistan’s largest charitable organisations for a major expansion of paediatric healthcare infrastructure.
The cabinet’s approval clears the way for the authorities and the Edhi Foundation to proceed with implementation of the planned 13-storey facility at NICH.
