LAHORE: The Punjab government has taken a major step towards strengthening stroke care by constituting a high-level Steering and Advisory Committee for the Chief Minister’s Stroke Programme, aimed at providing strategic direction, expert oversight and system-wide reforms in the management of stroke patients across the province.
Senior official told The News the decision was notified on January 22 by the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department, following approval by the competent authority. The newly formed committee comprises some of the most senior and experienced neurologists, neurosurgeons and healthcare administrators in Punjab, reflecting the government’s intent to address stroke as a critical public health priority.
Dr Umair Rashid, former chief consultant radiologist at Lahore General Hospital, has been appointed as the convener of the committee.
According to the notification, the committee will function as the central advisory and oversight body for all provincial initiatives, programmes and projects related to stroke. It will review existing policies and ongoing interventions, assess their effectiveness, and recommend improvements where needed. Special emphasis will be placed on identifying gaps in service delivery and the key challenges faced by stroke patients, particularly in terms of access, timely treatment and rehabilitation.
One of the most significant objectives assigned to the committee is the expansion of the Chief Minister’s Stroke Programme from the existing 15 centres to all tertiary care hospitals and district headquarters hospitals across Punjab. This expansion is expected to significantly improve access to specialised stroke care, especially for patients in remote and underserved districts.
