Punjab govt taking extensive steps in health sector: minister

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Mar, 2026) Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that for the first time in history, any government has taken extensive steps for the improvement of the health sector.

He expressed these views while chairing a meeting of the Steering/Advisory Committee for Cardiovascular Diseases Punjab at the Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical education on Saturday. Chairman Punjab Chief Minister’s Advisory Committee for Cardiology, Dr. Farqad Alamgir, also co-chaired the meeting.

During the meeting, the establishment of the Institute of Cardiology Gujranwala, along with medical equipment and administrative matters, was reviewed in detail.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is taking fundamental steps to uplift the health sector. He highlighted that a state-of-the-art Maryam Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology is being constructed in Gujranwala at a cost of Rs 16 billion. He added that the project aims to provide the best cardiac facilities to millions of people in the Gujranwala division.

The minister further stated that efforts are also underway to improve the Wazirabad Institute of Cardiology. He termed the new institute a milestone in delivering modern and quality treatment for heart diseases, adding that bringing advanced medical facilities to the doorstep of the people remains the government’s top priority.

Secretary Specialized Health Azmat Mahmood Khan gave a detailed briefing on the progress of the project, available resources, and future goals.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Farqad Alamgir said that the chief minister is committed to providing the best cardiac care facilities to the people across Punjab. He added that efforts are being made in line with this vision to ensure quality treatment for heart patients throughout the province.

Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Azmat Mahmood said that the institute will be equipped with modern medical equipment, expert doctors, and patient-friendly facilities. He emphasized that cooperation is essential to make the health system effective and that the Maryam Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology will serve as a practical example of such collaboration.

At the end of the meeting, it was reiterated that the institute will be developed on modern lines, ensuring that residents of Gujranwala and surrounding areas will no longer need to travel to major cities for cardiac treatment.

The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Operations Nabila Irfan, Special Secretary Development Ahmed Kamal Maan, Additional Secretary Technical Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Waseem, and officers from IDAP. Vice Chancellor University of Child Health Sciences Professor Masood Sadiq, Professor Asim Javed from Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, Shahzad Leghari from IDEP, and other officials participated via video link.