Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has said that Punjab is always ready to guide and support other provinces in good faith. She said that Punjab should be considered the elder brother and that provinces learning from Punjab should not criticize it. In a recent statement, she highlighted several healthcare projects launched by the Punjab government and said these projects were aimed at providing better and modern medical facilities to the public. Uzma Bukhari said the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology has started its operations and would provide important treatment facilities for heart patients. She said heart transplant treatment at the hospital would be provided completely free of cost. According to her, the growing population of Lahore had increased pressure on the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, making it difficult for the existing hospital to meet the needs of all patients. Keeping this situation in mind, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved the establishment of the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology. The new hospital is expected to help reduce the burden on existing cardiac facilities and provide better treatment to patients. Uzma Bukhari also said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz would soon inaugurate the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital. She said the hospital would have 1,000 beds and would provide treatment to a large number of cancer patients. The establishment of a large cancer hospital is being presented as an important step because cancer treatment can be expensive and difficult to access for many families. The minister also said that the Cardiology Hospital in Sargodha was almost complete. Once completed, the hospital would provide specialized heart treatment to people living in Sargodha and nearby districts. This would help patients who currently have to travel to larger cities for advanced cardiac treatment. Uzma Bukhari said the Punjab government was working to improve healthcare facilities across the province and was focusing on projects according to public needs. She also pointed out that Punjab’s government hospitals provide free treatment to patients who come from different parts of Pakistan. According to her, people from outside Punjab also receive medical care in the province’s public hospitals. She described this as an example of Punjab’s role in supporting people from across the country. The minister said Punjab was not only working for its own population but was also providing healthcare services to patients from other provinces. She further said that Punjab was willing to share its experience with other provinces. According to Uzma Bukhari, provinces should learn from successful projects and policies instead of criticizing each other. She said that Punjab, as the elder brother, was ready to guide other provinces with sincerity and cooperation. Her statement mainly focused on healthcare projects and the need for better cooperation among the provinces. The Punjab government has been working on several health initiatives, including new hospitals and specialized treatment facilities. The Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital and the Cardiology Hospital in Sargodha are among the major projects mentioned by the minister. These projects are expected to increase access to specialized healthcare and reduce pressure on existing hospitals. Free treatment is also important because many families struggle to afford expensive medical procedures, medicines and long-term treatment. Heart disease and cancer often require costly care, so public hospitals offering free services can provide major relief to patients and their families. Uzma Bukhari said the government was considering the needs of the public while planning new healthcare facilities. She explained that the increasing population of Lahore had created greater pressure on the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, which was one of the reasons for establishing another cardiac hospital. The new facility is expected to provide advanced heart treatment and accommodate more patients. Similarly, the planned cancer hospital will provide a large number of beds for people requiring cancer treatment. The Sargodha cardiac hospital will expand specialized healthcare services outside Lahore and help people in central Punjab receive treatment closer to their homes. The minister also emphasized the importance of cooperation between Pakistan’s provinces. She said provinces should benefit from one another’s experience and adopt successful ideas where possible. Instead of focusing on political criticism, she said governments should concentrate on projects that improve the lives of ordinary citizens. Her remarks suggest that Punjab wants other provinces to view its development projects as examples that can be studied and adapted according to local needs. At the same time, she said Punjab was ready to provide guidance and support whenever other provinces required it. Healthcare remains a major issue across Pakistan, and many public hospitals face problems such as overcrowding, limited resources and a shortage of specialized facilities. New hospitals can help address these problems if they are properly equipped and managed. The availability of trained doctors, medical staff, medicines and modern equipment will also be important for ensuring that these projects provide effective services. Overall, Uzma Bukhari defended Punjab’s healthcare initiatives and said the province was working to provide better medical facilities to people. She highlighted free treatment, new cardiac facilities and the upcoming cancer hospital as examples of the government’s efforts. She also repeated her message that provinces should learn from each other and cooperate for the benefit of the people. According to her, Punjab is ready to guide other provinces and believes that those who benefit from Punjab’s experience should not point fingers at the province.
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