Civil Hospital Karachi, officially renamed Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital, is a major public-sector, teaching tertiary-care hospital located in Saddar, Karachi. With approximately 1,900 beds, it serves a vast patient base, including many who receive free or subsidized treatment
📍 Location & Accessibility
Situated on Baba‑e‑Urdu Road (close to Allahwala Market and MA Jinnah Road), Civil Hospital is easily reached via buses, rickshaws, ambulances, and private transport
🏥 History & Affiliation
- Founded as Civil Hospital Karachi in 1898 during the bubonic plague era; expanded under British rule with heritage‑protected structures including the Jubilee (Victoria) Block
- Became affiliated with Dow Medical College in 1945 and later Dow University of Health Sciences
- Renamed in August 2017 to honour Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau, lauded for public health contributions
🏨 Capacity & Recognition
- Houses around 1,900 beds across ~34 departments
- Accredited by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan
- Serves ~2 million outpatients annually, with most receiving care at no cost
🚑 Emergency & Trauma
Features a 500-bed Benazir Bhutto Accident, Emergency & Trauma Centre operating 24/7, equipped with multiple operating theatres and critical care support
🩺 Major Departments & Services
- Internal Medicine: Five wards with ~250 beds, a new 12-bed MICU offering ventilator support, and services like endoscopy, ERCP, bronchoscopy, gastroscopy, etc.
- Surgery: Six general surgery wards, faculty-led, performing open, minimally invasive, and even robotic surgeries
- Pediatrics: Includes multiple units and a Diarrhoea Treatment Unit
- Obstetrics & Gynecology: Three units with labour rooms and dedicated operating theatres
- Other specialties include cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, urology, vascular surgery, maxillofacial/plastic surgery, dermatology, psychiatry, neurology, nephrology, oncology, and radiology
- Burns Centre: Established in the historic Jubilee Block
🔬 Diagnostics & Imaging
Offers extensive lab tests, radiology, including CT and MRI scans, digital X-ray, ultrasound, ECG‑ECHO, GI endoscopy, and specialized diagnostic imaging
🎓 Teaching & Research
A premier teaching hospital for undergraduate and postgraduate students of Dow University, active in research with numerous publications and academic programs
🧡 Community & Support
- Home to the Patients’ Welfare Association, a student‐run NGO providing free medicines, blood, dialysis, and thalassemia care
- Operates public health initiatives like TB, malaria, hepatitis, vaccination campaigns, and serves as a pivotal referral centre for provincial and national emergencies
⚠️ Challenges & Opportunities
- While its historical infrastructure is heritage-protected, it shows signs of overcrowding and hygiene issues—frequent public complaints cite cleanliness, rodents, and staff constraints
- Despite expansion efforts, ongoing modernization of facilities, staffing, and cleanliness remains a priority
❓ FAQs – Civil Hospital Karachi
Is emergency service available 24/7?
Absolutely — its trauma and accident centre operates day and night
How can I access care?
Walk-ins are accepted for OPD and emergency; specialized appointments are scheduled through relevant departments. Public/ambulance transport is common.
Are tests and treatments free?
Yes — most lab tests, imaging, surgeries, and inpatient care are provided free or heavily subsidized :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.
Do they train doctors?
Yes — affiliated with Dow University, the hospital is a major centre for training medical students and postgraduate doctors
How many beds does the hospital have?
Approximately 1,900 beds across various medical and surgical specialities
🔍 Conclusion
Civil Hospital Karachi is a historic, high-capacity tertiary care centre integrating service, education, and public welfare. While it excels in providing accessible healthcare and teaching, it also faces challenges common to large public hospitals—such as overcrowding and facility upkeep. Continued investments in infrastructure, modernization, and community partnerships will enhance its impact across Karachi and beyond.