Photos: Mohamed bin Zayed Institute of Cardiology opened in Pakistan

Pakistan's Army Chief of Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa opened the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute of Cardiology, which was implemented in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. The opening ceremony was attended by Mir Jan Jamali, Governor of Balochistan; Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan; Abdullah Khalifa Al Ghafli, Director of the UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme (UAE PAP); doctors; paramedical staff and senior civil and military officials.

The building is constructed on an area of 121,406 square metres and costs $27.30 million, funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.

The move follows the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. With the support and follow-up of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court.

The project is implemented within the framework of the continuous support of the leadership of the UAE to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the implementation of humanitarian and development projects.

The institute's opening ceremony began with a briefing on the project's stages and a presentation of the Emirati humanitarian development projects implemented in the Balochistan region during the past three years through the UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme.

Speaking on the occasion, UAE PAP Director highlighted the significance of the initiatives of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the generous support and follow-up of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The institute will serve as a reference centre for hospitals and clinics in the region concerning the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, heart and cancer diagnosis for all residents of the regions and cities of Balochistan and neighbouring provinces, which qualifies it to provide distinguished specialised treatment services by medical and technical cadres with expertise and scientific competence.

The institute will benefit 12 million Pakistani in the Balochistan province. The number of heart patients is about 70,900, of whom more than 1,064 die annually due to the lack of treatment. The institute's absorptive capacity includes providing diagnostic and treatment services to over 500 patients daily and 182,000 patients annually, with a medical staff of 136 doctors and specialists and 350 nurses and technicians. The institute consists of 17 buildings.