Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a special meeting on Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, and directed the authorities concerned to introduce special cards for the treatment of cardiac and cancer patients in the province. Authorities concerned gave her a detailed briefing on Cancer and Cardiac Surgery Special Card Project, besides an update on Chief Minister’s Special Initiative for Cancer Patients Card in Punjab.
They apprised her that under this initiative, Punjab government will bear complete treatment cost of patients suffering from cancer and heart diseases. They also apprised her that every patient will be able to avail treatment facilities worth up to Rs 1 million through this Card, and added that in the first phase, 45,000 patients across Punjab will benefit from this initiative. They highlighted that under Chief Minister Cardiac Surgery Program, heart surgeries will also be provided free of cost. She sought a comprehensive program regarding timely treatment of stroke patients.
Chief Minister directed the relevant authorities that OPD Block of Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research be made functional by January 17, and set a deadline for getting operational Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha by January 31. Authorities concerned briefed her that Board of Governors of the Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research approved recruitment against 219 vacant positions in the first phase. They said that OPD, IPD, Emergency, Pathology and Radiology departments of the Institute of Cardiology Sargodha will become fully functional by January 31, and 258 positions have been approved for recruitment in the first phase. They added that Jinnah Institute of Cardiology will become functional on February 15, adding that its Board of Governors has approved 1104 positions for recruitment.
They further apprised her that Punjab’s 57 major hospitals treated 2.5 crore OPD patients and 62 lakh emergency patients, adding that medicines worth Rs. 19.9 billion were provided to major hospitals. They briefed her that under Chief Minister Medicine Home Delivery Program, 537,511 patients received medicines worth Rs. 480 million delivered to their homes. They added that during past 11 months, government hospitals conducted 744,430 surgeries, 475,040 CT scans and 150,925 MRI scans. They underscored that in order to diagnose cardiac diseases, 105,155 angiographies and 157,950 echocardiographies were performed. Additionally, over 1.2 million ultrasounds and more than 1.8 million X-rays were carried out. They flagged that pathology diagnostic tests facility was provided to more than 1.5 crore patients.
In her message on International Anti-Corruption Day, the CM highlighted that her government, from day one, has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, focusing on transparency, accountability, and efficient service delivery, which has enhanced Pakistan’s image globally.
The CM said that the introduction of the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) system has made government officers more efficient and proactive, resulting in improved public services. She stressed that corruption is an enemy of national development, damages resources, and undermines public trust. She added that the Punjab government is committed to eradicating corruption at all levels and that no act of wrongdoing will be tolerated.
CM Maryam Nawaz added that the Anti-Corruption Department has been made an independent institution, significantly improving its performance. She urged all citizens to play a proactive role in promoting transparency, integrity, and merit, noting that the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility of the government, civil society, media, and every citizen. She emphasised that Punjab’s goal is to build a corruption-free, developed, and prosperous homeland through sincerity, honesty, and concrete actions against financial wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz congratulated Abid Sher Ali on being elected as Senator unopposed and extended her best wishes for his future endeavors. She described his unopposed election as commendable and highlighted that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) achieved an unprecedented victory in the recently held by-elections.
She added that the party’s performance has always been exemplary and will continue to uphold its high standards. CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the foremost priority of PML-N leadership remains to provide excellent service to people and address their problems efficiently.