Punjab launches Adult Cardiac Surgery Program

After approval from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government has formally launched the Chief Minister’s Adult Cardiac Surgery Program, aimed at providing free cardiac treatment to heart patients across the province

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Mar, 2026) After approval from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government has formally launched the Chief Minister’s Adult Cardiac Surgery Program, aimed at providing free cardiac treatment to heart patients across the province.

Under the initiative, free treatment facilities worth more than Rs3 billion annually will be provided to patients suffering from heart diseases, says a press release issued here on Tuesday.

An important meeting regarding the launch of the program was held at Punjab Health Initiative Management Company, attended by Chairman Chief Minister’s Advisory Committee for Cardiology Dr. Farqad Alamgir, Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical education Department Azmat Mahmood, and CEO PHIMC Dr. Ali Razaq.

Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said the government is taking historic and fundamental steps in the health sector under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He appreciated the contributions of Health Economist Dr. Muhammad Adnan Khan, Dr. Farqad Alamgir, Azmat Mahmood, and Dr. Ali Razaq in making the program possible.

He said the program is being launched in its first phase with nine government cardiac institutions and 15 private cardiac hospitals across Punjab.

The nine government institutions include Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Sardar Fateh Muhammad Khan Institute of Cardiology, Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology, Sahiwal Institute of Cardiology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Multan Institute of Cardiology, and Wazirabad Institute of Cardiology.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said more hospitals would also be empaneled under the program to improve patient access, while government cardiac institutions would be upgraded further.

He added that the initiative would significantly reduce the waiting list for adult cardiac surgeries, as all types of adult heart surgery procedures have been included in the program.

Under the policy, government cardiac institutions will serve as Primary registration and treatment centres, while referrals to private hospitals will only be made through a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT).

Chairman Advisory Committee for Cardiology Dr. Farqad Alamgir said annual coverage per patient has been fixed at Rs1 million, while a reserve fund will also be available for complex cases or patients whose treatment costs exceed the standard package.

Secretary Specialized Healthcare Azmat Mahmood said an IT-based dashboard would be developed to ensure transparency and effective implementation of the program, adding that the initiative is expected to save thousands of lives across Punjab.