Jinnah Hospital Karachi Serving Since Independence!
Patients’ Aid enabled a Healthcare Revolution at JPMC
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) has been a beacon of hope and health for the Karachiites since independence. However the rising population and migration had overwhelmed Karachi’s largest public hospital affecting provision of quality healthcare to the underprivileged. Amidst despair Karachi’s philanthropists got together to revolutionize JPMC and founded the Patients’ Aid Foundation in 1990. The foundation has transformed JPMC into a state of the art, modern tertiary healthcare with world class facilities.
Every human being deserves freedom, not just from political chains, but from the daily struggles that imprison the soul. Whether bound by poverty, illness, or injustice, every individual deserves a life of dignity. If we go back during the turbulent era of the Indo-Pak subcontinent, when war, fear, and uncertainty loomed large, one man rose to lead millions toward hope, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
He saw clearly what many couldn’t: Muslims should never be enslaved by their conditions, nor surrender to anything but the will of the Almighty. With courage, strategy, and an unshakeable belief in equality, he led the movement that gave us the greatest gift, the independence of Pakistan. It was his vision and sacrifice that pulled our nation from darkness into light.
On August 15, 1947, as Pakistan was born, he declared with conviction:
“We are now free. We are no longer the slaves of the British; we are now the free citizens of a free State.”
This powerful quote wasn’t just a declaration of political freedom, it was a promise. A promise that no one would be judged or limited by their ethnicity, race, religion, gender, or class. Pakistan was built on the foundation of equality, a place where minorities and majorities are meant to stand side by side, not separated by status, but united by humanity. That’s why 14th August is more than just a holiday, it’s a powerful reminder of our roots, our sacrifices, and the enduring dream we strive to fulfill as a nation.
However, as Pakistan grew, so did its challenges. Among the most critical was the healthcare crisis. Access to quality treatment became a privilege, not a right, available only to those who could afford it. Healthcare in Pakistan began reflecting inequality, contradicting the very spirit of our independence. But then, one institution stood apart, inspired by Quaid-e-Azam’s vision and committed to his ideals. That institution was Jinnah Hospital.
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) transformed from a hospital into a sanctuary of care for those who needed it most. It didn’t matter if patients were rich or poor, educated or uneducated, young or old, everyone had a place here. Through every healthcare crisis, every epidemic, and every time the nation was tested, Jinnah Hospital stood tall, not just treating patients, but upholding the dream of equality and compassion that birthed this nation.
History of Jinnah Hospital
In the early light of Pakistan’s independence in 1947, a modest medical facility in Karachi stood quietly, bearing witness to a nation being born. What began as the Medical Corps Hospital in 1930, later renamed the British General Hospital in 1942, served only a privileged few under colonial rule. Yet, this humble hospital was destined for something far greater.
After Pakistan gained independence on 14th August 1947, the Father of the Nation, Quaid‑e‑Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was approached with a request to lend his name to the hospital. He agreed, not for personal glory, but on one profound condition: the hospital must serve every citizen equally, without discrimination, in the true spirit of an independent Pakistan.
And so, the facility was renamed Jinnah Central Hospital (JCH), not just a name change, but the birth of a national promise: to provide healthcare with dignity, equality, and compassion.
As Karachi flourished as the capital of a new nation, thousands of federal employees and migrants poured in, seeking opportunity and belonging. The hospital, once limited in scope, evolved into a purpose-built public sanctuary, growing beyond the confines of the old Civil Hospital. It became a symbol of inclusive care, open to all, regardless of background or status. However, as the city’s population exploded and waves of new residents settled in, the pressure on Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) became overwhelming. The hospital, underfunded and overstretched, struggled to meet the demands of modern medicine. For countless underprivileged patients, healthcare remained out of reach, and too often, lives were lost to neglect and poverty.
But then, compassion rose from the crisis. In 1990, a group of determined philanthropists came together and formed the Patients’ Aid Foundation. With a bold vision to uplift JPMC and restore its legacy, they partnered with JPMC authorities and the Government of Sindh to bring transformation where it was needed most. This was not just about infrastructure, it was about reviving hope, restoring dignity, and redefining public healthcare in Pakistan.
Under the passionate leadership of Mushtaq K. Chhapra, the foundation ignited a new era. His relentless dedication turned vision into action, establishing a state-of-the-art OPD and Surgical Complex, modern Radiology, Neurology, Psychiatry, and Gynecology & Obstetrics wings, as well as cutting-edge cancer care with CyberKnife and TomoTherapy, a high-tech Blood Bank, Emergency Rooms, Nephrology services, and more.
Today, over 4.5 million outpatients and 700,000 emergency cases are treated each year at JPMC, with over 20 critical wards upgraded through the tireless efforts of Patients’ Aid. From desperation to dignity, the hospital now serves those most in need with free, world-class medical care.
Mushtaq K. Chhapra’s leadership has become a beacon of what is possible when humanity meets healthcare. Through unwavering commitment to philanthropy, healthcare innovation, and inclusive service, Jinnah Hospital has been transformed into a place where the dream of a healthier, stronger Pakistan lives on.
A historic milestone at Jinnah Hospital supported by Patients’ Aid Foundation
Pakistan now stands proud as one of only ten cancer centres in the world equipped with two CyberKnife robotic systems and two TomoTherapy machines for advanced cancer treatment, all available completely free of cost at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi. This revolutionary step ensures that cancer patients, once suffering in silence, now have access to world class care without the burden of financial constraints.
This incredible achievement is made possible by the tireless efforts of the Patients’ Aid Foundation and generous donors. Working day and night, the non-profit raises funds to bridge the healthcare gap across Pakistan, especially for the marginalized communities for whom access to quality treatment is often a distant dream.
To continue this mission, Patients’ Aid, in 2025, has embraced innovative fundraising strategies, combining sports and philanthropy. In February, they organized a charity golf tournament at DA Golf & Country Club to support cancer patients. In July, they hosted a cricket league fundraiser at Moin Khan Academy, focused on providing free head and neck surgeries at JPMC.
Beyond large-scale events, their daily humanitarian work continues through campaigns like “Roz ka Sadqa”, ensuring no one in Karachi, or beyond, is left behind.
If you believe healthcare should be a right, not a privilege, join hands with Patients’ Aid Foundation. Your support can help save lives.
Join Patients’ Aid to help save humanity
This is more than just healthcare, it’s the revival of a promise, a living tribute to Quaid‑e‑Azam’s dream of a nation where every citizen is treated with dignity, compassion, and care. As we celebrate another Independence Day, let us honor this legacy with purpose. The Patients’ Aid Foundation continues to uplift Pakistan through healing, unity, and unwavering service, carrying forward the true spirit of freedom.
This Independence Day, let’s raise our voices for those who suffer in silence. Let’s bring the gift of Azadi to those trapped by illness and unable to afford treatment. Your generous donation can turn their despair into hope, and their battles into stories of survival.
Donate now. Be the reason someone breathes easier, lives longer, and believes in freedom again.
