KARACHI: In a move that has raised questions over the fate of one of the city’s long-standing provincial government hospitals, the Sindh Government Services Hospital, on M.A. Jinnah Road, is being shifted to three rooms and as many halls on the second floor of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC)-run Sarfaraz Rafiquee Shaheed Hospital because its existing premises are being handed over to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK).

The abrupt relocation has sparked concerns over how a fully fledged government hospital, along with its doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, administrative personnel and patients, can effectively function within such limited space without compromising essential healthcare services.

The development follows a letter issued by the Sindh health department on August 18 under which the director, medical & health services, KMC, allotted three rooms and three halls on the second floor of Sarfaraz Rafiquee Shaheed Hospital for shifting of Services Hospital.

The health department letter directed that the allotted premises be taken over through the necessary charge arrangements and that the existing premises of the Services Hospital be handed over to Civil Hospital Karachi “with immediate effect”, according to the official communication.

Provincial govt hands over Services Hospital’s building to CHK; orders its relocation on second floor of Sarfaraz Rafiquee Shaheed Hospital

The letter effectively sets the relocation process in motion, while the subsequent circular issued by the Medical Superintendent, Services Hospital, Karachi, instructed the entire hospital workforce to report at the newly allotted premises without fail.

The circular covers heads of departments, doctors, administrative staff, pharmacists, nurses, technical and supporting paramedical personnel and “all other officers/officials and employees” currently posted at the hospital.

The Medical Superintendent has also directed the heads and in-charges concerned to ensure the attendance and reporting of their staff at the new location and complete all arrangements required for the shifting on an urgent basis.

The stated objective is to ensure that hospital services and essential administrative functions continue “without interruption” during the relocation.

The medical superintendent’s circular also makes it clear that the relocation is to be implemented immediately, with the hospital administration tasked with ensuring that the shifting process does not disrupt services.

“All concerned are further directed to extend their full cooperation and ensure that all necessary arrangements for the shifting and functioning of the Services Hospital, Karachi, at the newly allotted premises are completed on an urgent basis, so that hospital services and essential administrative functions may continue without interruption,” said the circular.

“The concerned Heads/In-charges shall ensure the attendance and reporting of all staff under their respective control at the newly allotted premises.

The circular says that it takes immediate effect and all concerned shall comply with the directions in letter and spirit.

The official directions, however, raise an immediate practical question whether three rooms and three halls can adequately accommodate the operations, staff and patient-related functions of an established provincial government hospital and whether such an arrangement can sustain its existing healthcare services without affecting their quality or accessibility.

“Three rooms and three halls may appear sufficient on paper but in a functioning government hospital space is required not only for patient care but also for doctors, nurses, administrative staff, diagnostics, records, storage and other essential support functions,” said an official at Services Hospital Karachi, requesting anonymity.

“Compressing all of these activities into such a limited space will inevitably put pressure on routine operations and could affect both the efficiency and accessibility of healthcare services,” the official added.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2026