LAHORE (Dunya News) - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore, describing the facility as a long-standing dream aimed at providing advanced and free cardiac treatment to patients.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Maryam said heart disease had become increasingly common, with almost every household having someone suffering from a cardiac condition. She said patients from across Pakistan would be able to seek treatment at the institute.
“Health is the greatest blessing,” the chief minister said, adding that those entrusted with authority had a responsibility to serve the public.
She said the Punjab government was providing free treatment and medicines across the province and praised the provincial health minister and his team for working around the clock to improve healthcare services.
Maryam announced that a heart transplant fund would be established, noting that the minimum cost of a heart transplant was around $50,000. She said heart transplant procedures at the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology would begin from Saturday and that cardiac treatment would be provided free of cost to people in Punjab.
The chief minister said the institute had been equipped with a modern hybrid catheterisation laboratory, internationally equipped wards and advanced cardiac equipment. She added that hospital staff had received training according to international standards.
Maryam said more than 12,000 children had undergone surgeries in a year, while 16 catheterisation laboratories were now operational across Punjab.
She also highlighted other healthcare initiatives, saying the provincial government was preparing to launch a home dialysis programme and had made a stroke-prevention injection available free of charge.
The chief minister said the Punjab Air Ambulance service had been introduced to help people in need and that efforts were being made to ensure healthcare reached people at their doorstep.
“No person should have to travel to another city for treatment,” she said.
Maryam also said that failing to provide people with their due rights would amount to a failure of the government. She added that the government would continue expanding healthcare facilities and responding to demands for services such as the Clinics on Wheels programme.