The Punjab government has announced a major healthcare relief initiative, covering the full cost of treatment for cancer and heart patients across the province. Under the CM Special Initiative Cancer Patient Card and Cardiac Surgery Program, patients will receive up to Rs1 million in free treatment, eliminating the need to sell property or valuables.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved the program, with 45,000 patients set to benefit in the first phase. The government will also introduce a dedicated program for timely stroke treatment.

Hospital upgrades and recruitment

The Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment will activate its OPD block by January 17, while the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha will become fully functional by January 31. Recruitment for 219 posts in the cancer institute and 258 posts in the cardiology institute has been approved. The Jinnah Institute of Cardiology Lahore will start operations on February 15, with 1,104 positions approved.

Also Read: ECP announces Islamabad local government Election 2026 schedule

Healthcare achievements in Punjab

Over the past 11 months, Punjab hospitals treated 25 million OPD patients and 16.2 million emergency cases, provided Rs19.9 billion worth of medicines, and conducted over 744,000 surgeries. Medical imaging and pathology services benefited millions, including 1.2 million ultrasounds, 1.8 million X-rays, 150,925 MRIs, and tests for over 15 million patients.