Indus University Hospital Successfully Performs First Pediatric Open-Heart Surgery, Marking a Historic Milestone

Karachi: In a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s healthcare sector, Indus University Hospital has successfully performed its first pediatric open-heart surgery under its Congenital Heart Services, ushering in a new era of advanced, free-of-cost cardiac care for children.
The complex procedure was led by Dr. Zubair Barohi, Consultant, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, along with Dr. Arjumand Shauq, Pediatric Cardiologist and Head of Department, supported by a highly specialized and coordinated multidisciplinary team.

While Indus Hospital has long been providing minimally invasive cardiac interventions, these procedures catered to only around 30% of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). A significant majority, often those in critical need, had to be referred elsewhere for surgical care, facing financial constraints or extended waiting periods.

With this successful surgery, Indus Hospital has now bridged a critical gap by bringing advanced pediatric cardiac surgery services in-house.
Pediatric open-heart surgery is among the most intricate medical procedures, requiring seamless collaboration between cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists, ICU teams, operating theatre staff, technicians, and perfusionists who meticulously manage circulation and temperature throughout the operation. With a success rate of approximately 98%, these surgeries offer a lifelong cure in most cases.

In a city like Karachi, which serves as a major referral hub for patients from across Pakistan, access to such specialized care remains extremely limited. Only a handful of surgeons in Sindh are capable of performing these procedures. Even many private hospitals do not offer comprehensive pediatric cardiac surgery services, while public hospitals often have waiting lists extending up to one to two years.

Commenting on this historic milestone, Prof. Syed Zafar Zaidi, CEO, Indus Hospital & Health Network, said:
“This milestone is not just about one successful surgery — it is about building a system that can consistently deliver complex, life-saving care at scale. By investing in infrastructure, technology, and people, we are laying the foundation for a sustainable cardiac program that will significantly improve access and outcomes for children across Pakistan.”

Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, President, Indus Hospital & Health Network, added:
“Alhamdulillah, today marks a deeply emotional moment for all of us at Indus. For years, we have witnessed families struggle to find access to life-saving heart surgeries for their children. Today, we pray that this step becomes a source of hope for countless parents and a means of saving many precious lives. May Allah accept this effort and enable us to continue serving humanity with compassion, dignity, and excellence.”

Building on this success, Indus Hospital intends to expand into more complex and advanced cardiac procedures in the near future.
This historic achievement reinforces Indus Hospital’s mission to deliver world-class healthcare, completely free of cost — ensuring that every child, regardless of financial means, has access to life-saving treatment and a healthier future.