The CM PUNJAB has approved a major healthcare initiative aimed at improving access to heart treatment across the province. The new program focuses on providing free adult cardiac surgeries to patients who cannot afford expensive procedures. Officials say this step will help reduce the growing burden on public hospitals.
The decision was discussed during a meeting at the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company. Senior health officials and medical experts attended the session. They reviewed the plan and shared details about its implementation.
Under this initiative, the CM PUNJAB will allocate around Rs3 billion annually. The program will start in its first phase with several public and private hospitals. These include nine government cardiac institutions and 15 private facilities across Punjab.
Key public hospitals include the Punjab Institute of Cardiology in Lahore and the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology. Other institutions in Bahawalpur, DG Khan, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, and Wazirabad are also part of the plan. These hospitals will serve as main centers for patient registration and treatment.
Health officials said more hospitals may join the program later. This will improve access for patients living in different regions. The initiative also includes upgrades to existing government cardiac facilities.
The CM PUNJAB program aims to reduce long waiting lists for heart surgeries. Many patients currently wait months for treatment. With this project, more surgeries can be performed in less time.
Each patient will receive coverage of up to Rs1 million per year. A special reserve fund will also be created. This fund will support patients with complex conditions or extended treatments.
Doctors will follow a structured referral system. Patients will first visit government hospitals. If needed, they will be referred to private hospitals through a multidisciplinary team.
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An IT-based dashboard will also be introduced. This system will help track patient data and ensure transparency. Officials believe the program will save thousands of lives and improve healthcare services across Punjab.
