The Pak-China Friendship Hospital in Islamabad has made its emergency department operational round the clock, ProPakistani reported, expanding free healthcare access for residents of the federal capital.
Managed by the Indus Hospital and Health Network, the facility has deployed dedicated teams of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to provide emergency care and life-saving treatment at any time of the day or night.
The hospital aims to improve access to quality healthcare by providing timely medical attention, particularly to patients who need urgent treatment. The round-the-clock service is expected to help residents of Islamabad and surrounding areas, who previously had limited options for free emergency care at night.
Specialist care, free of charge
The facility has also expanded its clinical capacity by introducing specialised medical and surgical services to meet the growing healthcare needs of the population. The emergency department covers resuscitation, minor operations, consultant clinics, radiology and laboratory services, alongside wards for general patients, children, mothers and intensive care.
In a recent clinical milestone, the hospital successfully performed an open reduction and internal fixation ankle surgery under spinal anaesthesia, marking progress in its provision of advanced surgical services.
Head of Campus Dr Khizzer Pervaiz appreciated the contributions of Dr Danish, the orthopaedic and anaesthesia teams, and the hospital’s support staff for their coordinated efforts in completing the procedure.
The administration has restated its commitment to expanding quality healthcare services and strengthening clinical facilities so that medical care remains accessible and efficient.
The Pak-China Friendship Hospital, brought back to life
The emergency opening is the latest step in the revival of a facility that stood idle for years. The hospital was built during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as the Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre, with Chinese assistance. After the pandemic subsided, it remained largely unused.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the revived hospital on October 29, announcing that it would provide free medical treatment to patients from across Pakistan, with the government covering the costs. The facility was renamed the Pak-China Friendship Hospital in recognition of China’s contribution, which included a $4 million grant towards a project that cost around Rs980 million to build.
The hospital is now run by the Indus Hospital and Health Network under a public-private partnership. Free treatment at the hospital began with its reopening in October, and the facility was formally brought back into service that month.
What it means for patients
For families in Islamabad and nearby areas, the change is practical. Emergency cases no longer depend on the hour: a road accident, a sudden illness or a child’s emergency at night can now be treated free of charge at a public facility with specialist staff on duty.
Citizens have welcomed the move and thanked the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry of National Health Services for supporting the welfare-oriented initiative, which provides free emergency healthcare to residents of the federal capital.
The step also fits a wider push to widen free care. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has launched a free HPV vaccination drive for girls, free breast cancer screening has been offered in the capital, and Punjab has set aside Rs5 billion for stroke care. The Islamabad hospital’s round-the-clock emergency service adds a further piece to that picture, though hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are still struggling under pressure.
Frequently asked questions
Is emergency care free at the Pak-China Friendship Hospital?
Yes. The hospital provides free emergency care round the clock, with the government covering treatment costs for patients from Islamabad and across Pakistan.
Where is the hospital located?
It is located at Chak Shahzad in Islamabad, near the National Institute of Health. It was built in 2020 as the Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre.
Who runs the hospital?
The Indus Hospital and Health Network manages the hospital under a public-private partnership with the government.
What services does the emergency department offer?
It offers resuscitation, minor operations, consultant clinics, radiology and laboratory services, alongside general, paediatric, maternity, isolation, surgical and intensive care units.
When did the hospital reopen?
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the revived hospital on October 29, 2026, after it had remained largely unused since the COVID-19 pandemic.
