Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has congratulated the team at Services Hospital Lahore after it became Pakistan’s first government hospital to receive the prestigious Global Diamond Award for excellence in stroke care. The award was given under the Angels Initiative in partnership with the World Stroke Organization (WSO) and the European Stroke Organisation (ESO).
The Diamond Award recognises hospitals that meet strict international standards in the quick diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients. Services Hospital’s Neurology Department earned this honour for its strong performance, especially in achieving the recommended door-to-needle time for thrombolysis. This is a key measure of how fast life-saving clot-busting treatment is given after a patient arrives. The award also praises the hospital’s timely, complete, and evidence-based care that helps improve patient recovery.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz praised Principal of SIMS Prof Dr Zahra Khanam, Head of Neurology Prof Dr Muhammad Adnan Aslam, and the full medical team. She described the award as global recognition of Punjab’s work to strengthen public healthcare. She also highlighted the hospital’s Stroke Emergency Centre for delivering high-quality care and better outcomes for patients.
This success builds on earlier efforts at Services Hospital, which helped introduce acute stroke care in Pakistan’s public sector. Punjab now runs multiple stroke management centres that offer free costly injections to patients. The government plans to expand these services further so more people can receive fast treatment and avoid disability or death.
The achievement shows that government hospitals in Pakistan can reach world-class standards when teams work with dedication and clear systems. It marks a proud moment for public healthcare and offers hope for better stroke care across the country.