A comprehensive internal audit at Karachi’s National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) revealed Rs40 billion worth of financial irregularities, spanning misallocation, inflated procurements, and unverified expenditures.

Misuse of Funds and Abuse of Procurement Processes

Investigators found that NICVD funds were improperly diverted for unsanctioned projects, inflated equipment costs, and payments for services that were either undocumented or never rendered, pointing to systemic procurement abuse.

Senior Officials and Contractors Held Accountable

High-ranking administrators and external contractors have been identified in connection with the irregularities. Disciplinary and legal proceedings are being initiated to recover misused funds and penalize involved individuals.

Immediate Administrative Reforms Announced

Provincial health authorities have ordered sweeping administrative changes at NICVD, including the appointment of a new oversight committee, enhanced financial supervision, implementation of e-procurement systems, and mandatory third-party audits.

NICVD Leadership Apologizes and Promises Corrections

The current administration acknowledged the audit’s findings, issued a public apology, and committed to transparent corrective measures to rebuild public trust and restore financial integrity.

Recovery Plan Launched for Misappropriated Funds

An aggressive recovery strategy has been launched to reclaim diverted funds. This includes legal petitions, asset freezes, and collection from responsible parties or institutions tied to the misused money.

Healthcare Experts Warn Against Repeated Malpractice

Health policy analysts caution that such large-scale financial mismanagement jeopardizes public service delivery and clinical care. They underscore the urgent need for financial discipline and robust oversight in public healthcare institutions.

Public Reaction: Demand for Accountability

Civil society groups and patient advocates have demanded swift justice and implementation of strict checks to prevent repetitions. The public is demanding transparency to ensure government healthcare benefits are not compromised.

Next Steps: Strengthening Institutional Governance

Future strategies include passing health sector financial regulations, institution-wide training for procurement staff, revealing audit results publicly, and stricter supervision to prevent systemic corruption in public hospitals.