LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has rolled out a major new healthcare initiative to provide free open-heart surgeries to patients across the province.
The Chief Minister Cardiac Surgery Programme aims to give timely and completely free treatment to people suffering from heart diseases. Officials launched the scheme under the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department after Maryam Nawaz gave her formal approval.
Government Allocates Billions to Clear Surgery Backlog
The Punjab government has set aside more than Rs3 billion every year for this project. The main goal is to clear the long waiting lists for open-heart surgeries within the next six months. Many patients currently wait months or even years for these life-saving operations, and the new programme hopes to change that.
To make things easier for people, the government has introduced a dedicated helpline number — 0800-09009. Patients and their families can also get help through phone calls and WhatsApp messages from the department.
CM Pledges Modern Care for Heart Patients
While speaking at the launch, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said her government is fully committed to helping thousands of heart patients who need urgent care. She stressed that the programme will deliver modern medical facilities and ensure ease.
“Every citizen of Punjab deserves access to quality healthcare,” she added. The initiative has received a positive response from doctors and the public alike, as it directly targets one of the biggest challenges in the province’s health system.
Furthermore, health experts believe this step will ease pressure on government hospitals and allow private centres to play a bigger role in public welfare. The programme is expected to benefit a large number of low-income families who previously could not afford expensive heart surgeries.
