- Empowering communities, healing lives: The Indus Hospital & Health Network’s holistic caring approach
- IHHN committed from preventive care to specialised treatment, innovating for a healthier Pakistan
Interview with Dr Abdul Bari Khan — Founding President of Indus Hospital & Health Network
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself and Indus Hospital & Health Network, please:
Dr. Abdul Bari Khan: I am privileged to have served as the CEO of the then Indus Hospital and now honored to hold the position of Founding President of today’s Indus Hospital & Health Network. Born in Karachi to a family originally from Peshawar, I am fortunate to belong to a religious family known for its piety, altruism, compassion, and generosity towards the community and humanity. These values have been instilled in me since childhood, guiding my life’s journey as I strive to promote and practice them.
From a young age, I’ve been taught the importance of caring for others. My father emphasised the importance of kindness, and I naturally empathised with the suffering of humanity. This innate compassion led me to pursue a career in medicine, with a dream of establishing a model hospital to serve the underprivileged. In 2005, we embarked on the journey to turn this dream into reality. By 2007, we acquired a non-functional hospital, the Islamic Mission Hospital, and transformed it into The Indus Hospital (TIH). TIH emerged as the nation’s pioneering paperless and cashless hospital, providing free healthcare to all in need. Over time, TIH evolved into Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), a nationwide network offering high-quality, cost-free healthcare.
IHHN is dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare services across the entire spectrum of care, from community engagement to tertiary care. Anchored in the institutional vision of offering excellence in healthcare that is free for all, IHHN’s mission is driven by the desire to please Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.
Over the past 16 years, IHHN has transformed into a remarkable nationwide healthcare network. Presently, it boasts an extensive infrastructure, including 10 multi-specialty hospitals, 38 primary care sites, four regional blood centres, three physical rehabilitation centres, and multiple public health initiatives conducted nationwide.
PAGE: Since Indus Health Network counts on charity, how would you comment on the philanthropy in Pakistan?
Dr. Abdul Bari Khan: Philanthropy in Pakistan is an essential pillar of social development and progress, and it plays a crucial role in supporting organisations like IHHN, which devoting to upholding the health and dignity of all. Our supporters have been the bedrock of our success. Without the generosity of philanthropists and donors IHHN would not be able to fulfill its mission of providing quality healthcare to all, regardless of their ability to pay. The philanthropic spirit in Pakistan is commendable, with individuals and organisations stepping forward to contribute to various causes, including healthcare, education, poverty alleviation, and disaster relief. Through their charitable contributions, philanthropists not only make a positive impact on the lives of the less fortunate but also help strengthen the social fabric of the nation. Over the years, I’ve witnessed a remarkable outpouring of support from individuals willing to give everything they can to alleviate the pain and suffering of others.
Whether it’s through financial donations, blood donations, sharing their expertise and skills, or simply using their voice to raise awareness for IHHN and its patients; people have consistently stepped up to make a difference. Our ambassadors, volunteers and donors are a prime example of the Pakistani people’s spirit of giving. Their efforts underscore the spirit of compassion, generosity, and solidarity that defines the Pakistani society, and it highlights the collective responsibility we have towards uplifting the most vulnerable members of our community.
PAGE: Could you share with us the development work of Indus Hospital and the subsequent benefits to the poor patients?
Dr. Abdul Bari Khan: The Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) has embarked on extensive development efforts aimed at expanding its scope, enhancing quality, and broadening its reach to serve those in need. At Indus, we advocate holistic care, aiming not only to address current and future illnesses but also to uplift communities and empower individuals to make informed lifestyle choices and take charge of their health. This overarching philosophy is ingrained in all our programmes and modes of care, spanning from community engagement initiatives to primary care clinics and tertiary care facilities. Through a robust integrated primary healthcare network with a focus on prevention, IHHN has established a comprehensive system aims to improve the health, livelihood, and economic status of individuals, especially those in remote areas. Along with the provision of a wide range of healthcare interventions, including immunisations, treatment for diseases such as Hepatitis C, HIV, Malaria, and Diabetes, and more, IHHN has created spaces to enable communities to empower, heal and sustain themselves.
One prime example is our 12 women and girl-friendly safe spaces in Sindh which not only provide healthcare but also impart handicraft and other skills to generate income, while referral pathways offer access to legal and other assistance to enhance living conditions.
Over 2,471 individuals were provided specialised medical services and more than 2,700 customised dignity kits were distributed to women in need.
IHHN has also enhanced the scale, capacity, and expertise of its network of blood centers, with several public-sector centres having achieved international accreditations. This initiative ensures the provision of safe blood at no cost to patients, mitigating the risks associated with alternative sources. Similar advancements have been made across various IHHN departments, including research, laboratory and diagnostic services, and infection prevention and control, setting a benchmark for healthcare facilities nationwide.
With over 4 Regional Blood Centres and 7,000 beds served across Sindh and Punjab, IHHN has, to date, arranged more than 2.9 million units of safe blood for patients in need. Expanding access to care in remote areas, IHHN has introduced innovative approaches such as telehealth services, mobile buses, Pakistan’s first boat clinic, and specialised clinics operated in collaboration with the Pakistani government. For instance, the Childhood Cancer Clinic established by IHHN in Quetta alleviates the financial burden on patients and their families by providing treatment locally, thereby eliminating travel and accommodation expenses.
IHHN’s owned and managed facilities play a pivotal role in elevating healthcare standards nationwide by sharing resources and expertise with other facilities. This collaborative effort ensures that even patients in areas without direct IHHN presence benefit from enhanced healthcare quality. Despite substantial growth, the demand for healthcare services consistently exceeds available resources. Therefore, IHHN has initiated essential Capital Projects, including the construction of state-of-the-art multidisciplinary hospitals in Karachi and Lahore, along with the establishment of the Indus University of Health Sciences which has graduated over 2,850 students to date. These have worked to reduce waiting times and introduce a greater number of specialised services along with existing services, and increase competent human capital. All these developments have been made and are continuing with the sole aim of benefiting patients in need with high-quality care at no cost.
PAGE: Could you share with us the number of patients being treated at IHHN?
Dr. Abdul Bari Khan: Currently Indus Hospital & health Network is treating more than 500,000 patients every month with comprehensive quality care that is entirely free of cost. This amounts to more than six million patients treated every year nationwide. We are further expanding to serve more.
PAGE: Where do you see IHHN five years down the line?
Dr. Abdul Bari Khan: As an organisation deeply committed to addressing critical healthcare and development challenges, IHHN has charted a bold trajectory towards building a healthier and more prosperous Pakistan. Looking ahead, we envision IHHN further solidifying its position as a leader in healthcare and social development across the nation. To do so, our primary focus lies in the expansion, enhancement, and consolidation of the organisation, guided by the strategic framework of six core directions: Integrated Primary Care Access, Service Delivery through Hospitals, Education & Capacity Building, Research & Development, Multi-Sectoral Approaches, and Alliances & Partnerships.
Concurrently, we remain steadfast in our commitment to enhancing healthcare capacity at secondary and tertiary care hospitals, ensuring a seamless continuum of care for all and, granting our people the assurance of comprehensive medical assistance.
Construction is already underway for Pakistan’s largest free-of-cost hospital in Karachi, with another tertiary care hospital successfully established in Lahore. Our vision is to see both these capital projects thriving and serving the community within the next five years.
To address gaps in healthcare expertise, we have inaugurated the Indus University of Health Sciences (IUHS), with plans to further expand into Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry colleges. We also hope to expand our continuing education offered to healthcare professionals and networkwide Postgraduate Medical Education programme through which over 270 residents have already been trained.
Recognising the interconnectivity of health with various sectors, IHHN advocates for multi-sectoral collaborations aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
By forging partnerships in education, water and sanitation, poverty alleviation, and environmental initiatives, we strive to create a healthier society while addressing the ecological vulnerabilities facing our region. Moreover, we emphasise the pivotal role of partnerships and alliances in ensuring healthcare access for all. The healthcare challenges of Pakistan necessitate collective action across sectors, transcending boundaries between private, public, and non-profit entities.
As such, we call upon all stakeholders to join hands in our noble mission of uplifting healthcare standards nationwide. We hope to see fruits of these efforts manifest in our community initiatives, where individuals, groups, and organisations empower themselves to serve the underprivileged by extending their support to IHHN through a myriad of events and activities. A prime illustration of this commitment is the Indus Yaqeen programme, IHHN’s youth volunteer programme which engages youth all over the country. In 2022-2023, Indus Yaqeen programme engaged 35+ schools and recruited over 1,500 volunteers. The programme also launched one of Pakistan’s largest youth-led campaign, “Meer-e-Karwan” to raise funds and awareness throughout the blessed month of Ramazan. Thanks to our volunteers, we were able to distribute over 12,500 flyers and reach an audience of over 22,000 online.
In summary, IHHN’s vision for the next five years is one of transformative growth, innovation, and collaboration.