Pakistan-China Friendship Hospital in Gwadar, Pakistan.
The Chinese-aided Pakistan-China Friendship Hospital in Gwadar is becoming a key healthcare center in Balochistan and has treated 48,656 patients in the first two months of 2026, according to a report by CGTN.
The report states that the hospital, which is a flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), currently serves around 1,200 patients daily, significantly improving access to healthcare in the region.
CPEC is a flagship infrastructure and energy initiative linking Pakistan and China, which aims to boost trade, connectivity and regional development. It includes roads, railways, energy projects and industrial zones, strengthening the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.
During a recent visit to the hospital, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the success of CPEC should be measured not only through infrastructure but also through improvements in human development, particularly in health and education.
Read: Ahsan Iqbal admits Pakistan ‘dropped the trap’ on CPEC, blames PTI
Managed by Indus Hospital and Health Network, the center offers a wide range of services, including diagnosis, treatment and hospital care, free of cost.
Since its inception, the hospital has treated more than 650,000 patients, reducing the need for residents to travel to other cities for specialized care. Patients from all over Balochistan, and even from neighboring areas, are now seeking treatment in Gwadar.
The project has also contributed to local employment, with more than 80% of the hospital’s 487 staff recruited from the surrounding community.
Looking ahead, the hospital plans to expand its services from 15 to 25 departments and establish a School of Medical Technology, with future plans for a medical school and nursing school.
