Pak-China Friendship Hospital in Gwadar, Pakistan.
The China-backed Pak-China Friendship Hospital in Gwadar is emerging as a key health facility in Balochistan, treating 48,656 patients in the first two months of 2026, according to a report from CGTN.
The report said the hospital, which is a flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), currently treats around 1,200 patients per day, significantly improving access to healthcare in the region.
CPEC is a flagship infrastructure and energy initiative linking Pakistan and China, aimed at boosting trade, connectivity and regional development. It includes highways, railways, energy projects and industrial zones, strengthening the Pakistan-China strategic partnership.
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 health and education.
Read: Ahsan Iqbal admits Pakistan ‘dropped’ CPEC, blames PTI
Operated by Indus Hospital and Health Network, the facility provides a wide range of services free of charge, including diagnostics, treatment and inpatient care.
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 neighboring areas, are now seeking treatment in Gwadar.
The project also contributed to local employment, as more than 80% of the hospital’s 487 staff members were 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 a nursing school.
