KARACHI: Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has inaugurated a new operational base of the Sindh Integrated Emergency and Health Services (SIEHS-1122) in Orangi Town, saying the facility will help ambulances reach patients more quickly in one of the city’s busiest areas.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, he said the operational base had been shifted from Kati Pahari to a government building near Banaras to improve emergency response times.

“The relocation aims to improve the speed and accessibility of emergency services in Orangi Town and surrounding areas, enabling ambulances to reach patients more quickly, even in congested and high-traffic localities,” he said.

The mayor said that the project had also given a new purpose to a government building that had remained unused for several years. Converting underutilised public assets into centres of public service is among the priorities of the Government of Sindh and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, he added.

“Timely emergency medical services are essential for a city the size of Karachi and the initiative has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare access through collaboration with SIEHS-1122,” added Mayor Wahab.

The facility has been established through a joint initiative of the Sindh government, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and SIEHS-1122. According to officials, the renovated building has been equipped with modern infrastructure and will provide free, round-the-clock pre-hospital emergency medical services in line with internationally recognised ISO 9001:2015 quality standards.

The inauguration ceremony was also attended by SIEHS-1122 Chief Executive Officer Brigadier (R) Tariq Qadir Lakhiar, elected representatives, community leaders, social figures and members of the media.

Addressing the gathering, Brigadier (R) Lakhiar said the project was more than just the relocation of an ambulance station. He said it reflected the commitment of the government and partner institutions to bring quality emergency medical services closer to the public while making effective use of public resources.

He said the new operational base would enable SIEHS-1122 teams to respond more quickly and efficiently to emergencies in Orangi Town and other parts of Karachi West. He also thanked the Government of Sindh, KMC and Mayor Wahab for their support in completing the project.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2026