In a province where access to advanced healthcare has long remained a challenge, the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute of Cardiology has quietly emerged as a symbol of transformation — offering state-of-the-art cardiac care and restoring hope for thousands across Balochistan.
Established in May 2022, the institute has since performed over 500 successful cardiac surgeries, a milestone that is not only clinical but deeply social — changing the way Balochistan’s residents perceive and access healthcare.
Once compelled to travel to Karachi, Lahore, or even abroad for complex heart surgeries, patients in Balochistan now look inward — to a facility that rivals national institutions in its technology, expertise, and patient care.
A First for the ProvinceLocated in Quetta, the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Cardiac Institute has carved out a unique position as Balochistan’s first fully equipped, modern cardiac treatment center. From open-heart surgeries to minimally invasive procedures, the hospital’s range of services represents a leap forward in the province’s public health landscape.
In just over three years, the institute has performed a broad spectrum of complex procedures, including:
• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
• Beating Heart Surgeries
• Valvular Replacements
• Bentall Procedures
• Congenital Cardiac Surgeries
• Minimally Invasive Cardiac Interventions
• Vascular Surgeries
These procedures, once considered beyond the reach of most Balochistan residents, are now being carried out by locally-based, highly trained cardiac surgeons — a source of pride and progress for the province.
The success of the institute rests on the shoulders of a dedicated team. Notable among them are Dr. Iqbal Alam Khan, Dr. Junaid Ahmed Khan, and Dr. Riaz-ul-Haq, who, alongside their colleagues and supporting medical staff, have worked tirelessly to deliver international-standard care.
Their commitment is matched by the patients’ trust. “Previously, we never imagined such surgeries could happen here in Quetta,” said a relative of a recent patient. “Now, this institute is the first place we turn to.”
That trust is echoed in the increasing number of patients choosing to receive treatment locally. The trend, according to hospital sources, is a testament to both technical excellence and the human touch that defines patient care at the facility.
Behind the institute’s rapid rise is a framework of strong leadership and organizational discipline. The hospital’s CEO, Brigadier (Retd) Umar Iftikhar Kahlon, and Deputy Commandant Colonel Muhammad Taqweem Malik have played instrumental roles in shaping the institution’s culture of excellence.
Under their leadership, the institute has not only maintained high clinical standards but also emphasized ethical practice, transparency, and inclusive service delivery.
Changing the Landscape of Healthcare in Balochistan
In a province where healthcare often struggles under the weight of resource shortages, political neglect, and logistical challenges, the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Institute represents more than a hospital — it is a model of what focused investment, skilled manpower, and strategic vision can achieve.
