Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the Chief Minister Cardiac Surgery Programme to provide free and timely heart treatment to patients across the province.
The new initiative aims to completely eliminate long waiting lists for open-heart surgeries. It is being implemented in nine public and 15 private cardiac hospitals. The first successful open-heart surgery under this programme has already been performed at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology in Lahore.
The Punjab government has allocated more than Rs 3 billion annually for this scheme. Eligible patients, who are permanent residents of Punjab as per NADRA records, can receive free treatment, including diagnostics, surgery, and follow-up care. The programme offers coverage of up to Rs 1 million per patient per year.
To make the process easier, the government has also introduced dedicated helplines and WhatsApp support so patients can get quick assistance and guidance.
CM Maryam Nawaz said the programme reflects the government’s strong commitment to providing quality and affordable healthcare. She hopes this initiative will save thousands of lives and reduce the financial burden on poor families facing heart-related problems.
This is being seen as a major step forward in improving public healthcare services in Punjab.