CM reviews health sector performance

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Apr, 2026) Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the performance of six flagship health initiatives, as more than 21 million patients were provided treatment and medical facilities in a short span of time through field hospitals and the “Clinic on Wheels” programme.

Chairing a special meeting to review ongoing health projects, here on Saturday, the chief minister was briefed that over 18.2 million patients had been treated through mobile clinics, where 7 million ultrasound scans were conducted and 1.2 million children were vaccinated. Field hospitals catered to around 2.8 million patients, conducting 448,468 laboratory tests along with 170,772 X-rays and ultrasound examinations.

The meeting was informed that more than 30,000 patients received free home delivery of medicines, including insulin for diabetes, as well as treatment for hepatitis and tuberculosis. Currently, 2,242 diabetes patients are being provided insulin for two months at their doorstep, while 14,286 hepatitis and 13,864 tuberculosis patients are receiving medicines through the same facility.

During the briefing, Provincial Health Secretary Nadia Saqib highlighted that, for the first time in Punjab’s history, revamping of 1,217 health facilities had been completed. In Phase-I, 1,026 Basic Health Units and 191 Rural Health Centres were upgraded, while Phase-II saw the revamping of 433 Basic Health Units and 81 Rural Health Centres.

Work on Phase-III, covering 895 health facilities, is progressing rapidly.

The chief minister was further informed that community health inspectors had registered 63 million individuals across Punjab, collecting data from 8 million households and over 10 million homes. The Geographic Information System (GIS) team of the Health and Population Department completed mapping of 58,571 areas, while digital monitoring and tracking of healthcare facilities is being carried out by 251 surveillance assistants across the province.

The meeting also reviewed the cardiac care initiative under which catheterisation laboratories (Cath Labs) are operational in district hospitals of Jhelum, Jhang, Mianwali and Vehari. A total of 1,628 cardiac procedures have been performed, including 1,055 angiographies, 559 angioplasties, 12 Primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), and two temporary pacemaker implantations.

It was further noted that, on average, treatment for patients begins within five minutes of arrival at hospitals. The chief minister directed authorities to establish stroke management centres in district hospitals, complete the revamping of healthcare facilities within the current year, and increase seats for nursing degree programmes in public sector hospitals.

Commending the performance of the Health and Population Department, Maryam Nawaz Sharif appreciated the efforts of the secretary and her team for achieving significant milestones in the healthcare sector.