Billions being spent on free stroke treatment under CMSP: Minister Salman

Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that under the Chief Minister’s Stroke Program (CMSP), free treatment facilities worth billions of rupees are being provided to stroke patients across the province

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Apr, 2026) Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that under the Chief Minister’s Stroke Program (CMSP), free treatment facilities worth billions of rupees are being provided to stroke patients across the province.

He expressed these views while chairing a meeting at the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company on Friday, where progress on the Chief Minister’s Special Program for Stroke Management was reviewed.

The meeting was informed that stroke patients were treated at a cost exceeding Rs 120 million from January to March 2026 under the programme. Officials highlighted that significant progress has been made and efforts are underway to establish 24 more stroke centers in various cities of Punjab.

Convener CMSP Professor Qasim Bashir gave a detailed briefing on the programme, which was appreciated by participants who also offered valuable suggestions.

Addressing the meeting, Khawaja Salman Rafique said the initiative aims to save thousands of lives, adding that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the establishment of a stroke management center in every district. He said the decision to appoint neurologists and pediatric neurologists in every District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital is being implemented, while a mechanism is also being developed to provide immediate stroke management training to doctors and nurses across the province.

He emphasized that the importance of “golden hours” in stroke treatment is undeniable and directed authorities to launch a public awareness campaign. The minister further said that a plan has been finalized to establish stroke management centers in all children’s hospitals in Punjab to ensure patients do not have to travel to major cities for treatment.

During the briefing, Professor Qasim Bashir noted that one in four people over the age of 25 is at risk of stroke, stressing the need for awareness and training at pre-hospital, hospital, and post-hospital stages.

Secretary Emergency Services Department Punjab Dr. Rizwan Naseer participated in the meeting via video link, while CEO Punjab Health Initiative Management Company Dr. Ali Razaq, Special Secretary Development Ahmed Kamal Maan, Additional Secretary Medical education Dr. Sidra Saleem, Additional Secretary Procurement Anwar Bariar, Executive Director Punjab Institute of Neurosciences Prof. Asif Bashir, Medical Director Children’s Hospital Lahore Prof. Tipu Sultan, Fauzia Sajjad, Principal Fatima Jinnah Medical College Prof. Hamid ud Din, Wazir Ali Khan, Professor Dr. Muhammad Athar Javed and other officials and experts also attended the meeting.