LAHORE — Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has unveiled a historic initiative to improve healthcare, digital education, and safety measures for special children across the province. The comprehensive plan includes Punjab’s first-ever province-wide health screening program for students enrolled in special education centers.
Under this new program, more than 35,600 special children will undergo health screenings, including dental and eye checkups and disease assessments. Over 20,000 students will receive immediate medical treatment, while 9,000 will be referred to hospitals for further care. Additionally, 5,000 students in major cities will receive specialized treatment in advanced medical facilities.
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The Chief Minister also highlighted the success of a door-to-door admission campaign that resulted in over 5,000 new enrollments in special education centers. Alongside healthcare improvements, the CM Punjab Freelancer Program has introduced digital skills training in areas such as design, YouTube content creation, social media, and e-commerce. Ten new computer labs are being established, and eight others upgraded to modern standards. So far, 18 master trainers and 1,760 students have completed the training, with laptops to be awarded to the top 50 performers.
To ensure student safety, the government has approved the installation of 4,381 CCTV cameras across special education centers. In the first phase, 989 cameras will be set up in 142 centers across Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, and DG Khan divisions, followed by 158 more centers in other divisions by May next year. A centralized monitoring system in Lahore will provide real-time oversight, helping protect students and analyze behavioral patterns for therapeutic support.
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Officials confirmed that 3,450 cameras will be fully operational by November 2025, marking a significant step toward creating a safer, healthier, and more inclusive environment for special children in Punjab.