Independent Report
PESHAWAR, June 2: In a major breakthrough for pediatric cardiac healthcare in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Rehman Medical Institute (RMI) Peshawar has successfully performed four highly complex congenital heart surgeries, including a specialized Arterial Switch Operation, through a collaborative effort between pediatric cardiac experts from Lahore and RMI’s in-house cardiac team.
According to hospital officials, the surgeries were conducted jointly by specialists from Bahria Orchard Hospital Lahore and RMI, marking a significant step toward strengthening advanced pediatric cardiac care in the province and reducing dependence on treatment facilities outside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Among the procedures was the technically demanding Arterial Switch Operation, considered the standard treatment for Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) — a life-threatening congenital heart condition in which the major blood vessels connected to the heart are abnormally positioned, restricting the circulation of oxygen-rich blood.
The visiting surgical team included Major General Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed, Head of Anesthesia, alongside pediatric cardiac surgeons Dr. Aitizaz Uddin and Dr. Salman Farsi. They worked in close coordination with RMI specialists, including Prof. Dr. Azam Jan, Dr. Tariq Sohail Babar, Dr. Nabeel Awan, Dr. Saira, Dr. Imtiaz, and Dr. Ahsan, to complete the four complex procedures successfully.
Hospital authorities said the collaboration also focused on capacity building and professional development, with specialized training sessions organized for pediatric cardiac nurses and intensive care staff to further strengthen clinical expertise and critical care services.
Chairman RMI, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rehman, praised the combined efforts of both medical teams, emphasizing that academic and clinical partnerships are essential for improving healthcare delivery and introducing advanced treatment options within the province.
He reiterated the institute’s commitment to continuing such collaborations to ensure patients have access to specialized and high-quality medical care closer to home.
RMI, one of Peshawar’s leading tertiary care hospitals, offers advanced diagnostic, interventional, and surgical cardiac services and also provides treatment under the Sehat Card Program, expanding access to specialized healthcare for a broader segment of the population.
Medical experts described the successful surgeries, particularly the Arterial Switch Operation, as a major milestone for pediatric cardiac care in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a positive development for advanced healthcare services in the region.
