The Punjab government has announced free palliative care for stage-III and stage-IV cancer patients at the newly established Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research. The initiative aims to support critically ill patients who often struggle to access treatment during the advanced stages of their illness.
The institute, a 900-bed facility, includes a specialized 100-bed palliative care unit, making it the largest government-run cancer hospital in Punjab. Health Minister Khwaja Salman Rafique stated that the facility will also provide outpatient services, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy to ensure comprehensive care for patients.
Medical experts have long highlighted the lack of public facilities for terminally ill cancer patients, who often face severe pain and limited treatment options. The inclusion of palliative care in the project is seen as a major step toward addressing this gap.
The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) has approved Rs. 74.92 billion for the institute and an additional Rs. 15.73 billion for other health development projects, including the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology. Part of the cancer institute is expected to be completed by February 2026, with the palliative care block scheduled to become operational in March, marking a significant milestone in Punjab’s healthcare system.
