LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the inauguration schedule for three major healthcare institutions across the province during a high-level meeting in Lahore.
The meeting reviewed progress on major projects under the Specialized Healthcare Department. Officials briefed the chief minister on the development of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha, the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research, and the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology Lahore.
According to the briefing, the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha will open on July 15. Officials confirmed that construction work at the facility has been completed.
Meanwhile, the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research will be inaugurated on July 31. Authorities stated that Package A and Package B of the project will be completed before its opening.
In addition, the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology Lahore is expected to begin operations on August 15. Recruitment at the facility will conclude by July 10.
During the meeting, officials reported that more than 22 million patients received free treatment across Punjab. Furthermore, 13,550 children underwent free heart surgeries under the Chief Minister Children’s Heart Surgery Programme.
The briefing also revealed that authorities delivered free medicines to 728,000 patients at their homes throughout the province.
Maryam Nawaz praised the quality of construction at the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha. She said the facility resembled a major hospital in Saudi Arabia and appreciated the efforts of the Specialized Healthcare Department and IDAP.
The chief minister also formally approved the Diaspora Doctor Locum Programme. Under the initiative, overseas Pakistani and foreign specialist doctors will provide short-term services in public hospitals across Punjab.
Officials selected 12 hospitals for deployment under the programme. Participating doctors must hold postgraduate qualifications, possess at least three years of fellowship experience abroad, and submit a fitness certificate.
Doctors joining the programme will serve in Punjab for 15 days. Moreover, authorities will establish a dedicated online portal featuring registration, verification, credential management, and commitment procedures to facilitate participation.
