The Punjab government has taken a significant step toward transforming healthcare access for citizens suffering from life-threatening diseases. In a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore, the provincial government approved the introduction of two major health initiatives: the Chief Minister’s Special Initiative Cancer Patient Card and a dedicated Cardiac Surgery Treatment Card. These cards will provide completely free treatment to patients diagnosed with cancer or heart diseases, easing the financial burden on thousands of families.
According to the briefing provided during the meeting, the government will bear the complete cost of treatment for both cancer and cardiac patients. Under the CM Special Initiative Card program, eligible patients will be able to receive treatment worth up to 1 million rupees (Rs 10 lakh) without any out-of-pocket expenses. This move is aimed especially at low-income families who often struggle to afford the heavy costs of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and lifelong cardiac procedures.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that the program’s first phase is designed to cover approximately 45,000 patients, enabling them to access timely and quality medical care through their special health cards. The government hopes that this targeted support will significantly reduce mortality rates associated with delayed or unaffordable treatments.
In addition, the briefing highlighted a parallel initiative—the Chief Minister Cardiac Surgery Program. Under this program, patients requiring cardiac surgery will be able to undergo their procedures free of cost using the government-issued card. This includes expensive interventions such as open-heart surgeries, angioplasty, bypass operations, and other critical treatments that are otherwise financially out of reach for many people.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was also updated on the progress of several major health facilities currently under development or nearing completion. Regarding cancer treatment, she was informed that the Nawaz Sharif Institute for Cancer Treatment will soon see its Outpatient Department (OPD) block become operational by January 17. This institute is expected to become a key center for oncology services in Punjab, offering diagnosis, treatment, and follow-ups under one roof.
Similarly, the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha is set to become functional by January 31, with a strict deadline already in place to ensure timely delivery. This institute will play a crucial role in providing specialized cardiac care to patients in central and northern Punjab, particularly those who previously had to travel long distances to Lahore or Rawalpindi for treatment.
The meeting also revealed that, in the first phase, approvals have been granted for 219 new positions at the Institute of Cancer Treatment, while 258 posts have been sanctioned for recruitment at the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha. These recruitments aim to ensure that both institutions are fully staffed with qualified doctors, nurses, technicians, and support workers from day one.
Another important update shared during the meeting was the progress on the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore, which is scheduled to become operational from February 15. A substantial number of 1,104 positions have been approved to staff this state-of-the-art facility, which will serve as one of the largest cardiac care centers in the province.
Alongside institutional development, the Punjab government has taken measures to ensure that major hospitals across the province are well-stocked with essential medicines. According to the briefing, drugs worth 19.90 billion rupees have already been supplied to large hospitals, strengthening the healthcare system’s ability to serve the people without unnecessary shortages—an issue that has caused concern in previous years.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed satisfaction over the progress and emphasized the importance of providing equal, prompt, and quality healthcare to all citizens, regardless of their economic background. She highlighted that the introduction of these special treatment cards reflects her government’s commitment to making healthcare accessible, affordable, and humane. Cancer and heart diseases are among the leading causes of death in Pakistan, and timely treatment is often the difference between life and death. The new initiatives mark a major policy breakthrough and could be transformative for thousands of families who struggle to afford specialized treatment.
The launch of these cards aligns with the provincial government’s broader vision of strengthening Punjab’s health infrastructure and ensuring modern facilities in every region. Large-scale recruitment, timely operationalization of institutions, and substantial investment in medication supplies demonstrate that the government intends to implement its plans with seriousness and speed.
Maryam Nawaz stressed that no patient should be deprived of treatment because of financial constraints, and that the government is determined to eliminate such disparities. With the new cancer and cardiac treatment cards, Punjab is poised to take a significant leap forward in public healthcare, setting an example for other provinces of Pakistan to follow.
