Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz inaugurates Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore

Lahore (Web Desk): Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz on Friday inaugurated the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore, calling it a long-awaited healthcare project aimed at providing advanced cardiac treatment to patients free of cost.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister said heart diseases were becoming increasingly common and that hardly any family remained untouched by cardiac illness.

She said the newly established institute would serve patients not only from Punjab but from different parts of Pakistan.

“Health is the greatest blessing,” Maryam said, adding that people entrusted with authority were responsible for using it to serve the public.

She said the Punjab government was already ensuring the provision of free medicines and medical treatment facilities throughout the province.

CM Maryam also praised Punjab Health Minister and his team for their efforts to strengthen and improve the province’s healthcare system.

The Punjab CM announced the creation of a dedicated heart transplant fund, pointing out that a heart transplant could cost nearly $50,000.

She said heart transplant operations at the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology would commence from Saturday, while cardiac treatment would be provided free of charge to eligible people in Punjab.

She said the newly inaugurated facility featured a state-of-the-art hybrid catheterisation laboratory, internationally designed patient wards and sophisticated cardiac equipment. The medical and support staff, she added, had received training according to international standards.

Maryam said more than 12,000 children had undergone surgical procedures during the past year, while the number of operational catheterisation laboratories across Punjab had reached 16.

She also highlighted several upcoming healthcare projects, saying the government planned to launch a home-based dialysis service and offer a stroke-prevention injection to patients without charging them.

CM Maryam said that the Punjab Air Ambulance service had already been introduced to ensure rapid medical assistance for patients in emergencies.

She added that efforts were underway to bring healthcare facilities closer to citizens and make treatment available at their doorsteps.

“No person should have to travel to another city for treatment,” the Punjab CM said.

Maryam further stressed that if citizens were denied the healthcare facilities they were entitled to, it would represent a failure of the government to fulfil its responsibility.

The Punjab CM said the provincial government would continue to expand healthcare infrastructure, respond to public needs and introduce further initiatives, including programmes such as Clinics on Wheels, to improve access to medical services across the province.