Overview & History
Bethania Hospital, founded in 1964 by Belgian Capuchin Fr. Legori Janssen, is a charitable 215‑bed hospital in Sialkot operated under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lahore. It is the only Catholic hospital in Pakistan and has grown from a dispensary into one of Punjab’s largest TB specialist centres :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Approved as a charitable institution in 1991, it treats around 60,000 patients per year, including approximately 5,000 TB cases, in collaboration with the National TB Control Programme :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
🫁 TB Programme & Chest Care
- Specialized TB unit (~100 beds) offering free diagnosis and Directly Observed Treatment (DOTS) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Pediatric TB screening and treatment services :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Community outreach and counseling to combat TB stigma via home visits and awareness sessions :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- Close partnership with National TB Control Programme for free medication supply :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
🏨 General Medical & Surgical Services
- General Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Cardiology, Neurology :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- ICU, NICU, labor & delivery wards, physiotherapy, nutrition, dermatology services :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- Additional facilities include pharmacy, blood bank, X‑ray and medical lab :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
- Operation Theatres with modern equipment supporting emergency and elective surgeries :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
👨⚕️ Medical Team & Education
- Staff of over 130, including FCPS/FRCS-qualified specialists and pulmonologists :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
- In-house nursing school and partnerships with UMT for clinical training in health sciences :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
- Key staff includes Dr. Salman Akhtar – TB & chest diseases specialist :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
💳 Cost & Accessibility
- TB diagnosis and treatment are free via charitable funding and government programs :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
- General and specialty services are offered at affordable or subsidized rates :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
- Open to patients of all faiths and backgrounds; no religious discrimination :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
🕒 Timings & Location
- OPD Hours: Morning (8 AM–2 PM) & Evening (6 PM–9 PM); Emergency open 24/7 :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
- Address: Kashmir Road, Pakka Garha, Sialkot; accessible via main routes :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
- Contact: +92 52 4263236 / 0330 4171700 :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Bethania Hospital only for TB treatment?
No. While it’s a leading TB centre, it also offers general medicine, surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, cardiology, neurology, and more :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
Is TB treatment free?
Yes. TB testing, medication, and DOTS services are provided free under the National TB Control Programme :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
Are pediatric TB services available?
Yes. The hospital treats pediatric TB cases and supports family counseling and community education :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.
Can I walk in without appointment?
Yes. OPDs accept walk-ins during hours; emergency services operate 24/7. Specialist appointments recommended for elective care :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.
Is treatment available to all patients?
Yes. The hospital serves all communities equally, offering free or subsidized care regardless of religion or background :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
Do they perform surgeries?
Yes. Equipped with modern OTs, ICU and NICU, the hospital handles elective and emergency surgical procedures :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}.
How do they fight TB stigma?
“Locals still think these patients as untouchable… Their clothes and utensils are quickly separated…” :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
The hospital implements community education, counseling and home‑visit outreach to counter stigma :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}.
Do they offer training programmes?
Yes. The in‑house nursing school and UMT partnership enables clinical training for health sciences students :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}.
How can I contact the hospital?
Call +92 52 4263236 or 0330 4171700. The hospital operates 24/7 for emergencies :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}.
📚 Sources & References
- Bethania Hospital “About Us” page :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}
- Wikipedia – Bethania Hospital Sialkot :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}
- MyHospitalNow overview :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}
- AsiaNews & HeraldMalaysia TB-stigma article :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}
- OlaDoc listing & doctor profiles :contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}
- BizSouthAsia contact info :contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}