ISLAMABAD, July 7, 2026: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has activated a modern FaraPulse machine, enabling free treatment for eligible patients suffering from heart conditions at the hospital’s cardiac centre.

Speaking at an inauguration ceremony at the PIMS Cardiac Centre, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the facility would expand access to advanced cardiac care for patients from across the country, particularly those who cannot afford expensive procedures.

Kamal said around 10,000 patients from Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa visit PIMS every day, placing significant pressure on the hospital’s services.

He acknowledged weaknesses in Pakistan’s primary healthcare system, saying the government aims to reduce the patient burden on PIMS by strengthening basic health facilities. According to the minister, 28 Basic Health Units in Islamabad are currently non-functional.

The health minister also highlighted the country’s growing population, saying Pakistan’s population has reached around 265 million, with an annual increase of approximately 6.7 million people. He stressed the need to promote birth spacing through public awareness.

Kamal said hospitals alone cannot solve the country’s healthcare challenges and emphasized the importance of disease prevention. He noted that a large proportion of illnesses are linked to the lack of access to clean drinking water.

The minister also called for stronger local government institutions, saying effective implementation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment would help ensure that healthcare, clean water and other essential services reach communities more efficiently.

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