OUR healthcare system is already plagued by a myriad of issues and there is a shortage of quality medical facilities. But where we do have such essential facilities, they are increasingly being threatened by rampant and unchecked commercialisation around them, particularly in major urban centres like Karachi. A mega commercial structure on Stadium Road, right in front of the two major hospitals located there, is a case in point, which has been now ‘legalised’, with commercial establishments starting their operations. Thousands of patients, medical professionals, students and visitors come every day to these hospitals. They are all bound to be facing serious problems in the near future.

Taking a cue, a new project has also been announced, soon to be followed by others. It will consequently become extremely difficult for patients to approach the two hospitals, especially in case of emergencies, because of traffic jams expected owing to these commercial ventures. This is likely to happen as visitors will either park their vehicles in front of the new infrastructure or cause traffic mayhem when drivers will stop and try to drop and pick customers.

The two hospital administrations along with civil society organisations should approach the provincial government at the highest level and get further commer- cialisation of the road stalled. If such acts of commercialisation go on unchecked, everybody will be a loser except, of course, the greedy investors and those officials who happen to be hand in glove with them.

Those choosing not to raise their voice against this blatant commercialisation today, would all be responsible for the sufferings that would inevitably come.

Muhammad Jawwad
Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2026