Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz addressed the foundation laying ceremony of a laboratory at District Headquarters Hospital Jhang, emphasizing the government’s efforts to improve healthcare across the province.
She said that every district should ideally have a specialized heart hospital, noting that transferring heart patients to other facilities in emergencies is often challenging. “I am accountable to the people for their health. If we cannot solve all problems, we must at least stand by them,” she added.
The chief minister highlighted that cath labs are now functional in Sahiwal, Jhelum, and Jhang, and the construction of the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital is in its final stages. She stated that providing quality healthcare facilities to the public remains a top priority and that people from other provinces are also benefiting from Punjab’s hospitals.
CM mentioned that ‘Clinic on Wheels’ has treated over 20 million patients, while the Punjab government provides free medicines worth Rs100 billion and supplies 60 days of medications at home to 700,000 people. Around 1,000 Clinic on Wheels units are serving urban and rural areas, and mega development projects have been launched in Jhang, which will soon become one of the province’s developed districts.
She further revealed that 16 cath labs have been established across Punjab, and free organ transplant treatments are being provided.
Thousands of children with heart diseases have received free treatment. Telemedicine services will also be launched, allowing doctors worldwide to guide patients via mobile screens.
Maryam Nawaz announced that Lahore will become Pakistan’s first medical district, with the construction of a 1,000-bed children’s hospital and a 1,000-bed cardiology hospital. Advanced cancer treatment machines have been brought from China, capable of treating patients in 60 minutes. So far, around 50 patients have been treated successfully and are cancer-free.
She highlighted that Rs5 to 6 billion have been allocated for specialized health facilities and praised Punjab for setting examples in governance and technology. Within six months, every household will have a health profile. “Illness does not consider wealth. When disease strikes, the government must reach the people,” she said.
The Chief Minister also addressed urban infrastructure issues, mentioning that she monitors manhole covers at night to prevent theft and that uniform, stamped covers will now be installed across Punjab. Those involved in buying or selling stolen covers will be held accountable.
Additional cath labs are under construction in Layyah and Chakwal. She concluded by stating that healthcare will be equal for rich and poor and expressed her commitment to serving the people of Punjab, calling them the “crown of her head.”
