The Punjab government will provide late-stage cancer palliative care for stage-III and stage-IV patients at the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Institute. The facility is part of a 900-bed hospital in Lahore. A dedicated 100-bed block will focus on palliative care to ease pain and improve life quality.
Experts said stage-III and stage-IV cancers are life-threatening and often cause unbearable pain. Many patients previously lacked proper treatment due to limited government facilities. The initiative aims to provide chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and supportive care for symptom relief.
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Punjab Health Minister Khwaja Salman Rafique stated the institute may partially open by February 2026. The 100-bed palliative care block is expected to begin operations in March 2026. OPD services and treatment for advanced cancer patients will also start in the block.
Medical professionals highlighted that timely treatment can extend patients’ lives even in advanced stages. Currently, few government hospitals, such as Mayo and Nishtar, provide limited oncology services. Many facilities lacked trained oncologists and structured care programs for late-stage cancer patients.
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With the introduction of late-stage cancer palliative care, patients in Punjab will now access treatment without financial burden. The initiative promises better symptom management, improved life quality, and professional guidance for critically-ill patients.