In a stunning display of heritage, public spirit, and deep humanity, a historic fleet of vintage and classic automobiles took to the busy streets of Karachi this Sunday. The high-profile rally was organized to mark a major landmark milestone for the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) and celebrate its expanding healthcare footprint.
Leading the ceremonial convoy was Imad Samad behind the wheel of a majestic, 91-year-old Chevrolet Master Deluxe Coupe. The procession featured some of the world’s most iconic automotive names including classic Rolls-Royce models, vintage Ferraris, classic Mercedes-Benzes, and the legendary Jaguar E-Type.
Organized under the banner of the Vintage and Classic Car Club of Pakistan (VCCCP) and the Vintage and Classic Rally Drivers Association of Pakistan (VCRDAP), the drivers pulled into the newly established SIUT Trust Hospital on main Sharea Faisal to officially launch Karachi’s first 24-hour donation drive-thru facility.
A Historic Transformation: Hotel Turned Sanctuary of Healing
The venue itself carries immense significance. Located at the site of the former Regent Plaza Hotel, the SIUT Trust Hospital is actively being transformed into a future-ready medical and academic campus. Positioned along Karachi’s main artery, this central location makes world-class medical care far more accessible for millions of patients arriving from across inner Sindh, rural Balochistan, and the National Highway network.
Founded in 1971 by the legendary surgeon and humanitarian Dr. Syed Adibul Hasan Rizvi, SIUT has stood for over five decades on a solemn pledge: providing state-of-the-art medical care to every citizen, completely free of cost and with absolute dignity. Having already served over 35 million patients, SIUT’s new Sharea Faisal facility continues this legacy by offering:
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Free Lifetime Dialysis: Currently serving around 200 renal patients daily using modern, international-standard dialysis machinery and specialized care.
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Advanced Specialized Units: Comprehensive lithotripsy units for non-invasive kidney stone treatment alongside specialized physical rehabilitation and physiotherapy centers.
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Future Academic Expansion: A state of the-art teaching hospital and research campus that integrates clinical research, digital health technology, and specialized surgical training.
Mobilizing Support Ahead of Holy Ramazan
With the holy month of Ramazan approaching, the newly inaugurated drive-thru facility offers the public an effortless, highly organized, and transparent way to donate. Citizens driving along Sharea Faisal can now drop off their donations, Zakat, and Sadaqah directly from their vehicles at any time of day or night—supporting SIUT’s core motto of delivering healthcare as an absolute human right without discrimination based on caste, creed, or color.
The rally participants expressed deep emotional ties to SIUT’s mission. Imad Samad, President of the VCRDAP, praised Dr. Adib Rizvi as a living legend whose lifelong devotion to human welfare continues to inspire generations of Pakistanis.
Participant Razi Nayyer, driving a family-owned 1965 vintage Mercedes-Benz, shared his personal reverence for the institution, noting that participating in the drive thru initiative made him feel like one of “Dr. Rizvi’s soldiers” standing up for a noble cause.
A Growing National Network of Free Healthcare
The conversion of a landmark five star hotel into a high capacity teaching hospital is only the beginning of SIUT’s newest chapter. Representatives from SIUT shared ambitious national expansion plans aimed at constructing satellite centers, diagnostic clinics, and regional dialysis hubs across Pakistan.
This growing network ensures that no patient in need of life saving medical care is ever turned away due to an inability to pay, keeping Dr. Adib Rizvi’s vision alive for generations to come.
