Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a special meeting to review the progress of cardiology centres in Murree, Sahiwal, and Sargodha, alongside the performance report of 57 specialised hospitals across the province, here on Wednesday.
The CM expressed strong displeasure over delays in the installation of medical machinery, stressing that hospital construction must be completed in tandem with the setup of all necessary equipment. She set firm deadlines for full operationalisation, directing that the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha be fully functional by April, while the Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Centre Murree must be operational by mid-February.
CM Maryam Nawaz instructed immediate completion of the cardiac surgery theatre in Murree and urged prompt provision of all required machinery. She also directed that recruitment of doctors and staff for the Murree centre be completed without delay. Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education briefed the Chief Minister on patient care statistics across Punjab’s specialized hospitals.
Officials reported that 18.3 million patients have benefitted from provincial hospitals, with 39.3 million medical services provided. Since inception, 23.9 million OPD visits, 15.6 million emergency treatments, and free medicines worth Rs 1.92 billion have been delivered. Over 7.16 lakh surgeries, 4.52 lakh CT scans, 1.43 lakh MRIs, 99,000 angiographies, and 1.5 lakh echocardiograms have been performed.
Under the CM Special Initiative Transplant Program, 1,327 patients were registered and 879 liver, kidney, and other transplants conducted. Dialysis services reached 29,000 patients through 10.15 lakh procedures. At Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Centre Murree, 1,534 OPD patients were treated, with 48 angiographies and 374 echocardiograms completed. In Sargodha, 2,027 patients were registered, over 10,000 OPD visits made, and medicines worth Rs 2.9 million distributed.
At Sahiwal Institute of Cardiology, an average of 180 OPD patients are treated daily, with 59 angiographies, six angioplasties, and three bypass surgeries performed. Conversion of Sambli TB Hospital into a general hospital increased patient numbers to over 118,000.
The CM directed further improvements at Sahiwal Institute of Cardiology and reaffirmed her commitment to enhancing healthcare services across Punjab, ensuring timely completion of all ongoing projects.
Pakistan’s first-of-its-kind housing initiative for the homeless, ‘Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar’, was formally launched. President PML-N Muhammad Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the said programme and conducted first digital ballot at the request of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif as she was also present at the ceremony.
After the draw, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz personally telephoned Attock resident Rukhsana Bibi to congratulate her on winning a plot. Later, Quaid PML-N Nawaz Sharif also spoke to her by phone and extended congratulations to her on receiving a free plot through balloting. Rukhsana Bibi offered prayers and expressed gratitude to both leaders.
Separately, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that the Punjab government is committed to promoting a safe, sustainable and environment-friendly transport system across the province.
In her message on World Sustainable Transport Day, she said the Punjab government has launched a new, accessible and sustainable transport network to emphasise the importance of efficient mobility for all citizens.
The CM said that transportation remains central to connectivity, trade, economic growth and employment generation, adding, “Transport plays a vital role in boosting the economy, commerce and social linkages.”
CM Maryam Nawaz noted that, for the first time in Punjab’s history, an integrated and accessible electric bus project has been launched, enabling residents of Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Wazirabad and Faisalabad to travel on electric buses for a fare of just Rs 20. Women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities are being provided free travel facilities under the initiative.
The CM further announced that Pakistan’s first tram train service is being introduced in Lahore, while work on the Lahore, Islamabad bullet train framework is progressing rapidly. A glass train service from Rawalpindi to Murree is also being launched to facilitate tourists.
The chief minister said more than 20,000 kilometres of roads have been constructed and repaired across Punjab to improve connectivity. She stressed that sustainable transport solutions are essential to addressing developmental and trade challenges, especially in the face of climate change. She added that the provincial government is working swiftly to restore transport infrastructure in flood-affected areas.