Reflecting on PKLI's Positive Performance

Pakistan has the second highest prevalence of Hepatitis C in the world. Over 10 million people suffer from Hepatitis C and more than 5 million are affected by Hepatitis B. Associated kidney, liver and bladder diseases make up nearly 40% of illnesses in Pakistan and there are almost 1.2 million patients who require liver transplants. These diseases are more prevalent in the Punjab when compared to other provinces. Treatment is specialized and transplants are expensive. In order to address this worrying situation, and to provide relief to those suffering from Hepatitis and associated kidney, liver and bladder diseases, the Government of Punjab decided to build the Pakistan Kidney & Liver Institute and Research Center (PKLI & RC).

The Infrastructure Development Authority of the Punjab (IDAP) was given the responsibility of establishing this world class facility. The groundbreaking for this vital project took place on August 14, 2015 with the aim of providing a modern, advanced, innovative facility where treatment would be provided free of cost to the financially underprivileged and which would eventually become the biggest transplant center in the world. The first phase of this ambitious project was completed on time and was inaugurated on December 25, 2017.

PKLI will be an 800 bed facility, with 476 beds being provided in Phase I of the project along with all major infrastructure, equipment procurement, radiological services and energy center. The facility is now functioning as an advanced care institute specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and the treatment of kidney, liver and bladder diseases. PKLI also provides top quality training to medical personnel and doctors are conducting cutting-edge research to further increase knowledge in these areas.Additionally, PKLI & RC is also supported by a province-wide network of Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment Program (HPTP) clinics.

As of July 2018, PKLI has seen to 408,485 patients, with 156,343 total new patient registrations. The average number of patients examined per day is 3,350 with the number of average new patients per day being 700. The total number of patient visits or consultations is approximately 3 per patient. 22,387 patients were seen to in OPD, while the total number of admissions in IPD was 472. 337 patients have undergone surgeries at the PKLI. There have been 4 renal transplants conducted at the facility. The laboratories at PKLI are also being fully utilized with more than 9,500 people having been catered to which include 1,805 CT scans; 1,775 X-rays; 584 fibroscans and 4,017 ultrasounds. Medicines have been provided free of cost to approximately 32,000 patients.

IDAP's innovative planning, design and execution of the PKLI project has ensured infrastructure quality of the highest standards which combined with the latest health tools, technologies and specialized knowledge will ensure the public receives the best possible medical care. IDAP teams will continue to work hard to ensure Phase II of this important project is delivered on time and within budget.