Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS): Providing Free Healthcare for All
In a significant development for public healthcare, the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) has opened its doors to offer free bone marrow transplant facilities to the people of Gambat and beyond.
Already known for its exceptional liver transplant services, GIMS is now expanding its scope to address critical medical needs, guided by the vision of providing free healthcare across Pakistan. These efforts were inaugurated by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who expressed his joy over the advancements in Sindh’s public healthcare sector during the opening ceremony of the Bone Marrow Transplant Institute at GIMS.
GIMS stands as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking treatment for various diseases such as thalassemia, as the bone marrow transplant procedure has the potential to make a significant impact on their lives. With the provision of free treatment for liver, kidney, bone marrow, and cancer, GIMS is poised to become a leading healthcare institution in the region. The institute’s commitment to world-class facilities and the availability of 100% free cancer treatment further emphasizes its dedication to providing top-notch medical care to all individuals who walk through its doors.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted the rise in car accidents and the need for rapid emergency response facilities to cater to severe medical injuries caused by fires and accidents. GIMS has taken this need into consideration and launched a state-of-the-art emergency facility. Moreover, the plan is to establish similar centers in other cities to ensure the best possible treatment for those in critical condition. Bilawal proudly proclaimed Gambat as the medical capital of Pakistan, setting a remarkable precedent for other provincial governments to follow.
Bilawal challenged the provincial governments to emulate the success of GIMS by building hospitals that provide free treatment for liver, kidney, bone marrow, and cancer. Sindh has already broken the national record by conducting 550 free liver transplants, with a significant number of patients coming from Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The vision of the late Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to improve the healthcare system and save lives resonates strongly with the PPP’s vision for Pakistan. Bilawal emphasized the importance of ensuring that healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of their financial situation, and acknowledged the substantial investments made by the PPP government, particularly in tertiary care hospitals.
Bilawal also shed light on the Waseela-e-Sehat Card, an initiative introduced by the PPP government to assist the impoverished population. He criticized subsequent governments for renaming the card to PM Health Card and Sehat Insaaf Card, arguing that the approach to its implementation was flawed. Unlike the original intention of offering it to the poor, the current cards provide a subsidy of Rs600,000 to private hospitals, diverting funds from the healthcare budget. Bilawal stressed that the allocated budget for institutions like GIMS, SIUT, and NICVD is more substantial than the entire budget of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Card. He urged the selected government to allocate funds appropriately, ensuring that money reaches the poor and government hospitals, rather than being misused by private insurance companies.
The PPP chairman firmly believed that with proper utilization of finances, it is possible to establish world-class hospitals similar to GIMS. The ultimate vision is to bring free treatment directly to people’s homes, extending the reach of free cancer, liver, and kidney transplants beyond Sindh to the rest of Pakistan. Through these endeavors, the PPP aims to revolutionize healthcare in the country, leaving no one behind and ensuring that every individual has access to quality medical care.
GIMS sets a shining example for healthcare institutions across the nation, illustrating the potential for free and accessible healthcare for all. It is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the PPP government to transform the healthcare landscape in Pakistan, realizing the vision of a healthier and more prosperous nation.