Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute of Cardiology, Quetta

22/12/2025

An orientation session on Pharmacovigilance was organised by DRAP at SMBZAN ICQ on 18 December 2025. Mr Mirza Mehmood Baig, Focal Person and Secretary of Provincial Pharmacovigilance Centre Balochistan was the esteemed expert.

The session comprised of awareness sessions on establishment of Provincial Pharmacovigilance Centre Balochistan, its role in ensuring medication safety and patient health and use of VigiMobile app.

The participants were also apprised about the importance of reporting Adverse Drug Reactions, concept of Rational Drug Therapy and Drug Therapy Problems.

The session generated healthy interest in the participants who not only listened to the presentations with rapt attention, but also asked pertinent and probing questions.

The expert panel was presented with mementos by Dr Ghulam Sarwar Pirkani, HoD Pathology.

18/12/2025

A 2-day hands-on workshop on Intravascular Lithotripsy was organised at SMBZAN ICQ on 11 - 12 Dec 2025. Dr Ali Raza, renowned Interventional Cardiologist from Peshawar Institute of Cardiology was the esteemed expert.

IVL is a novel and minimally invasive procedure using sonic waves to fracture hard calcium deposits in blocked coronary arteries, preparing them for stent placement. It offers a gentler approach and better long-term outcomes in tough calcified lesions.

This was the first workshop on IVL in Balochistan, and was enthusiastically attended by our own faculty and esteemed consultants from Quetta, who showed a passion for learning this novel procedure.

The esteemed guest was presented with a memento by CEO SMBZAN ICQ, who reiterated the passion for capacity building at our institute by learning such state-of-the-art procedures in order to serve our patients better.

12/12/2025

On 10 Dec 2025, Dr Mahreen Siddiqui, Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor at University of Balochistan conducted an awareness session titled "Subjective and Psychological Well-Being of Health Professionals Related to Communication with Patients" at SMBZAN ICQ.

A diverse range of topics was touched upon including effective communication, patient-centered care, empathy, conflict resolution, de-escalation techniques and stress management.

The session was enthusiastically attended by consultants, physicians and staff who engaged the esteemed Professor in interesting discussion and asked pertinent questions.

It is hoped that such sessions will not only help our healthcare professionals better manage their physical and mental well-being, but will also help them to understand patient concerns and address them.

10/12/2025

10/12/2025

On 4 December 2025, 19 student officers undergoing 45th Mid Career Management Course at National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) Quetta visited SMBZAN ICQ accompanied by Dr Syed Ali Raza Shah, DG NIPA and 4 members of the Directing Staff.

They were briefed in detail about SMBZAN ICQ, its various achievements and the healthcare services being provided to the people of Balochistan. The student officers enthusiastically participated in the discussion, asking meaningful questions while appreciating the standards at the institute.

The delegation then toured the institute, visiting various departments and interacting with patients and staff.

An exchange of mementos also took place between CEO SMBZAN ICQ and DG NIPA to commemorate the occasion. It was agreed that the visit be made a regular part of activities for student officers undergoing MCMC at NIPA Quetta in order to bolster their understanding of specialised healthcare services available in the province.

24/11/2025

Patients stories about their experience at SMBZAN ICQ.

These smiles, acknowledgement and prayers are the real "earning" for all of us serving humanity at this great institute.

Better patient care is at the apex of all our activities, and relentless pursuit of this goal is the driving force at SMBZAN ICQ.

May Allah almighty grant us the knowledge, strength and perseverance to work tirelessly for the benefit of the people of Balochistan. Aameen.

21/11/2025

In connection with 54th Cardiocon Quetta, a workshop on Mastering the Art of ECG Interpretation and Cardiac Arrhythmias was held at SMBZAN ICQ on 20 November 2025.

Dr Muhammad Atif Rauf, a highly skilled and experienced Cardiac Electrophysiologist was the star of the show, enlightening the audience about Tachycardias, Bradyarrythmias and unlocking the electrical secrets of the heart.

Our own Dr Talib Hussain spoke at length about the basics of ECG.

Prof Abid Amin Khan (Patron-in-Chief 54th Cardiocon), Prof Jalal-ud-Din Achakzai (Convenor 54th Cardiocon) and Dr Farhan Faisal (Coordinator Local Chapter PCS) graced the workshop as guests of honour.

During his address, CEO SMBZAN ICQ congratulated the organizers on successful conduct of the workshop and thanked the guests of honour for taking time out for the event. He highlighted the successes achieved by our Cardiac EP department while stressing that the program was still in nascent stage and needed continued efforts and external collaboration to develop further.

With this workshop, SMBZAN ICQ has continued the endeavour of providing the Cardiology fraternity of the province a platform to continue their journey of professional development.

21/11/2025

On 30 October 2025, a 3-member team from PMDC visited SMBZAN ICQ in connection with inspection for recognition of postgraduate programs in Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology.

The team inspected various departments of the hospital and interacted with members of staff as well as patients. They were conducted by HoDs of concerned departments during the inspection. The team was impressed by the breadth and quality of diagnostic and treatment services being provided to the people of Balochistan, and also appreciated the high standards of management and administration.

The team members also interacted with Comdt SMBZAN ICQ, who presented them with institute souvenirs and copies of our first newsletter.

Through these initiatives, SMBZAN ICQ aspires to add yet another feather to its cap of services being provided to the people of Balochistan, providing excellent postgraduate training to young and brilliant physicians of the province.

07/11/2025

In pursuance of the continued collaboration in Paediatric Cardiology between two great institutes, a team from NICVD Karachi visited SMBZAN ICQ from 31 October to 2 November 2025.

A total of 250 paediatric patients were seen in the OPD, 18 Cath Interventions performed including ASD and PDA Device Closures, Pulmonary and Coarctation Ballooning and diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Furthermore, 5 paediatric cardiac surgeries were performed including TOF Primary Repair, VSD Surgical Closure, PDA Ligation and Mitral Valve Replacements.

The highlight, however, was Bibi Fatima, a 1.3 yrs old child having a large tubular PDA and two muscular VSDs. The defects were surgically repaired, a first for SMBZAN ICQ. It is hoped that the intervention will markedly improve the quality of life for this precious child and give her a chance at a long, fulfilling and productive life.

05/11/2025

On 2 November 2025, a series of Paediatric Cardiology workshops was held at SMBZAN ICQ in connection with 54th Cardiocon scheduled to be held in 3rd week of November at Quetta.

The workshops aimed at enhancing healthcare professionals' proficiency in interpretation of paediatric ECGs, management of basic neonatal & paediatric cardiac emergencies and Focused Paediatric Echocardiography.

The workshops were attended by a large number of paediatricians, emergency medicine specialists, GPs, nurses and allied health professionals not only from SMBZAN ICQ but also various government and private healthcare setups at Quetta. The participants showed great enthusiasm and appreciated the initiative by SMBZAN ICQ aimed at capacity building of local fraternity.

During his address, CEO SMBZAN ICQ congratulated the organizers on successful conduct of the workshops and thanked the external facilitators / experts from NICVD for their continued support. He also highlighted huge strides made by our Paediatric Cardiology / Cardiac Surgery Program within a short span of time and stressed the need for regular collaboration between various local setups to ensure sustainability and development of Paediatric Cardiology in the province.

This series of workshops cements the status of SMBZAN ICQ as the only state-of-the-art cardiac institute providing the full spectrum of diagnostic and curative services in Balochistan province. It also adds another feather in our cap as this was the very first activity conducted in the run up to 54th Cardiocon.

05/11/2025

It was an honour to receive Dr Bashir Hanif, Executive Director and his team at SMBZAN ICQ on 24 October 2025.

The honourable guest visited various facilities at the institute and was highly appreciative of the spectrum and quality of services being provided.

SMBZAN ICQ looks forward to host the distinguished guest again and hopes that we'd be able to find areas of mutual interest for future collaboration.