LAHORE: Punjab government has provided over Rs37 billion for free medical treatment of patients across various specialized health programs at selected hospitals.
Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, while chairing a meeting, stated that “historic and foundational measures” were being taken in the health sector.
Thanks to the Chief Minister of Punjab’s special health programs, there had been a significant reduction in patient waiting lists for treatments related to adult cardiac care, cancer, dialysis, stroke, pediatric heart surgery, and transplants.
Under the “Chief Minister’s Adult Cardiac Surgery Program”, free medical treatment valued at Rs3 billion annually was being provided to patients suffering from heart diseases.
Through the “Chief Minister’s Special Initiative for Cancer Patients,” free services, including diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy as well as surgical and medical therapies, were being provided to cancer patients at an annual cost of Rs10 billion, he said.
Under the “Chief Minister’s Special Initiative for Stroke Management,” free medical treatment worth approximately Rs1.25 billion annually was being provided to stroke patients.
Hospitals had also been directed to further accelerate the reduction of patient waiting lists for adult cardiac care, cancer, dialysis, stroke, pediatric heart surgery, and transplants.
Khawaja Salman Rafique noted that under the “Chief Minister’s Children’s Heart Surgery Program,” heart surgeries had been performed completely free of charge for over 16,857 children across the province.
Moreover, Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique conducted a detailed review of the administrative affairs and performance of the Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Centre, Murree, and the Sahiwal Institute of Cardiology.
During the meeting, the current status of medical equipment and human resources (HR) was reviewed to ensure the provision of top-tier medical facilities in Punjab’s cardiac hospitals.
Khawaja Salman Rafique stated that in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, they were providing state-of-the-art cardiac care to patients.
The Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Center was proving to be an excellent treatment facility for the people of Murree and its surrounding areas.
For the first time in its history, the government of Punjab has procured modern machinery worth millions of rupees for this hospital, which now offers patient care through a fully functional Cath Lab.
Similarly, the Sahiwal Institute of Cardiology is also providing high-quality medical care to patients.
Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood stated that measures, including the procurement of medical equipment, the deployment of human resources, and other foundational initiatives, were being taken to ensure delivery of excellent medical care in Punjab’s cardiac hospitals.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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