LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has launched the Chief Minister Cardiac Surgery Programme under the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department, aimed at providing free and timely treatment to patients suffering from heart diseases.
The initiative has been formally rolled out following the chief minister’s approval, with services now available at selected public and private hospitals across the province.
The programme has been launched in nine public and 15 private cardiac institutions, offering free treatment to eligible residents of Punjab. The first successful open-heart surgery under the initiative has already been performed at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, marking a significant milestone. An amount of over Rs3 billion annually has been allocated for the treatment of cardiac patients, with a clear target set to eliminate long waiting lists for open-heart surgeries within six months.
To facilitate patients, a dedicated helpline 0800-09009 has been established, while patients can also contact 042-99066000 from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 11pm. Additionally, guidance is available via WhatsApp at 0333-6756390, ensuring maximum accessibility for those in need of information and support.
Maryam stated that the government was committed to providing advanced healthcare facilities to thousands of cardiac patients, adding that the Chief Minister Cardiac Surgery Program will play a vital role in ensuring free, timely and quality treatment for patients across Punjab.
Separately, addressing the ‘Hum Leader Award’ ceremony, held in connection with the International Women’s Day observance here on Sunday, CM Maryam Nawaz said that leadership rises above gender, stressing that courage and merit have no gender, and women should not be discouraged by criticism.
She highlighted that despite societal challenges, women who strive forward can become role models for others. She noted that politics has traditionally remained male-dominated, but women possess the unique ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
Reflecting on her journey, she said that being the daughter of a three-time prime minister and niece of three-time chief minister was both an honour and a challenge, as many doubted her ability to reform a broken system. She shared personal experiences, including her time in jail where she refused special privileges despite extreme conditions, enduring temperatures of 50 degrees in a confined cell.
Maryam stressed that Punjab, a province of 120 million people, is witnessing progress through hard work in sectors such as infrastructure, sanitation, economy, agriculture and policing. She underlined that if 51 per cent of Pakistan’s workforce — its women — do not actively contribute, national progress would remain incomplete.
Highlighting women empowerment initiatives, she said that women across Punjab are being provided with safe opportunities to earn livelihoods. From improved public spaces to safer transport and introduction of virtual police stations, video call reporting, panic buttons and CCTV monitoring, significant steps have been taken to ensure women’s safety.
Congratulating award recipients, she paid tribute to distinguished women, including Yasmin Qureshi, Anees Haroon, Jehan Ara and Mai Janda, acknowledging that the journey towards women’s empowerment is not easy but achievable through resilience and determination.
