Province-Wide Telemedicine, Says Health Model Attracts KP Patients
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has inaugurated a major healthcare facility while announcing a digital health revolution for the province. She launched a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratory at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Jhang and simultaneously announced the introduction of a province-wide telemedicine system.
Addressing the ceremony, the Chief Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare directly to people’s doorsteps. She stated that with the new Cath lab, cardiac surgery services have officially begun in Jhang, eliminating the need for patients to travel to Lahore or Multan for life-saving procedures.
A Rapid Expansion of Cardiac Care
CM Maryam Nawaz outlined a significant expansion of cardiac services across Punjab. “Within weeks and months, 16 cath labs have been launched across Punjab,” she said, with cardiology institutes also established in Sahiwal, Murree, and Sargodha.
She noted that the province’s healthcare model is proving so effective that it is attracting patients from beyond its borders. “Patients from other provinces, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are also seeking treatment in Punjab,” she stated, calling it a reflection of the province’s inclusive policy.
A Broader Vision for Accessible Healthcare
The inauguration served as a platform to highlight broader health initiatives. The Chief Minister detailed several key programs:
Dialysis Cards: Providing treatment worth up to **Rs. 1 million per patient**.
Mobile & Field Hospitals: Clinics on wheels and field hospitals have served **over 20 million people**.
Free Medicine Initiative: Free medicines worth **Rs. 100 billion** are being supplied, including home delivery of insulin.
Advanced Cancer Treatment: The introduction of modern treatment facilities, including advanced Chinese technology.
Air Ambulance Service: For the timely transfer of critically ill patients.
The Future: Telemedicine and the Nawaz Sharif Medical District
A major announcement was the launch of a province-wide telemedicine system. This will allow doctors to consult patients via mobile phone and engage specialist consultants from around the world, breaking down geographical barriers to expert care.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister revealed that construction of the flagship Nawaz Sharif Medical District in Lahore will begin in March. This massive project will house specialized hospitals for children, cardiology, blood diseases, orthopedics, burns, and genetic disorders.
Public Gratitude and Future Commitment
During her visit, CM Maryam Nawaz met with patients who expressed profound relief at having advanced cardiac care available locally. One recovered patient who underwent timely angioplasty thanked her directly. The Chief Minister concluded by reaffirming her resolve to continue transforming Punjab’s healthcare landscape for all its residents.
