Our History
The Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (SICVD) represents one of the most significant transformations in Pakistan’s public healthcare system. Established by the Government of Sindh, SICVD was created with a clear vision: to ensure that every citizen of Sindh has access to timely, high-quality cardiovascular care, regardless of geographical location or financial means.
Bringing Advanced Cardiac Care Closer to the People
For many years, advanced cardiac treatment was concentrated in major urban centres, requiring patients from distant districts to travel long distances during life-threatening emergencies. Recognizing this challenge, the Government of Sindh initiated a province-wide expansion of cardiac healthcare in 2017, establishing specialized cardiac hospitals and Chest Pain Units (CPUs) across Sindh. This marked the beginning of a new era in public healthcare, where advanced cardiac services became available closer to patients’ homes.
The network rapidly expanded with the establishment of modern cardiac centres in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Sehwan, Tando Muhammad Khan, Khairpur, Mithi, Shaheed Benazirabad, Lyari, Baldia Town and an expanding network of Chest Pain Units strategically located throughout the province.
Transforming Cardiac Healthcare Across Sindh
Today, SICVD has grown into the world’s largest free cardiac healthcare network, operating:
- 10 state-of-the-art cardiac hospitals
- 30 Chest Pain Units (CPUs) strategically located across Sindh
- Advanced Cath Labs and hybrid cardiac facilities
- Adult and Paediatric Cardiology services
- Adult and Paediatric Cardiac Surgery
- Electrophysiology and Heart Rhythm Services
- Stroke Intervention programmes
- Comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitation services
Supported entirely by the Government of Sindh, SICVD provides these services free of cost, ensuring that financial barriers never prevent patients from receiving life-saving treatment.
Establishment of SICVD
To further strengthen cardiovascular healthcare delivery and create a dedicated provincial institution, the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (SICVD) was established through legislation enacted by the Provincial Assembly of Sindh. This institutional framework enabled SICVD to independently lead the planning, expansion and delivery of specialized cardiac and stroke services across the province while maintaining the Government of Sindh’s commitment to providing all services completely free of cost.
Since its establishment, SICVD has continued to evolve into a comprehensive healthcare network focused not only on patient care but also on education, research, innovation and workforce development.
A Network Built Around Time-Critical Care
One of SICVD’s defining achievements has been the establishment of a province-wide emergency cardiac network designed to reduce treatment delays for patients experiencing heart attacks.
The strategically located Chest Pain Units function as the first point of emergency cardiac care, providing immediate diagnosis, stabilization and rapid referral to specialized cardiac hospitals for advanced interventions such as Primary PCI. This integrated model has significantly improved access to emergency cardiovascular services across urban and rural Sindh.
Advancing Clinical Excellence
Beyond emergency services, SICVD has developed into a comprehensive academic and clinical institution offering a full spectrum of cardiovascular care, including:
- Preventive and outpatient cardiology
- Interventional cardiology
- Structural heart disease interventions
- Adult and paediatric cardiac surgery
- Congenital heart disease management
- Stroke intervention
- Cardiac imaging and diagnostics
- Medical education, postgraduate training and clinical research
The institute continues to invest in modern technology, highly trained healthcare professionals and internationally recognized clinical practices to deliver safe, evidence-based and patient-centred care.
Looking Ahead
SICVD continues to expand its services, infrastructure and educational programmes with the vision of becoming a globally recognized centre of excellence in cardiovascular medicine.
Driven by innovation, compassion and public service, SICVD remains committed to ensuring that every person in Sindh has access to advanced cardiac care within the shortest possible time, while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and clinical excellence.
Every hospital established, every Chest Pain Unit opened and every life saved reflects SICVD’s unwavering commitment to its mission:
To provide accessible, equitable and world-class cardiovascular care to every patient, free of cost.