
CM Maryam Vows to Overhaul Punjab’s Healthcare System
CM Maryam Vows to Overhaul Punjab’s Healthcare System
The state of healthcare in the province was the subject of profound concern for Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who disclosed that government hospitals are encountering significant challenges, such as outsourcing medical tests and theft of medicines.During a ceremony in Lahore, she also discussed the government’s initiatives to address healthcare issues in the province. She made these remarks.
Maryam Nawaz stated, “Each day presents a new challenge. “Medicines are being stolen from government hospitals, and patients are being requested to undergo tests outside of the hospital.” We are actively engaged in resolving this critical matter.” The Chief Minister also identified the growing threat of infiltration in the border regions of Punjab as a substantial security challenge.Maryam Nawaz recognised the challenges associated with the healthcare system, notably in terms of delivering high-quality services to Punjab’s 140 million residents.
“The healthcare facilities available to our people are not up to the mark, and these issues keep me up at night,” she pointed out.Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam also emphasised that the percentage of free medicines in hospitals had decreased from 90% to just 30% during her father’s tenure, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. She pledged to address this situation.“Free medicines were nearly eliminated during Shahbaz Sharif’s tenure.” She stated, “In reality, it was boldly announced that cancer treatment would no longer be free.” Nevertheless, she reassured the public that the custom of supplying free medicines had been reinstated and that she verified their availability during her hospital visits.
One of Maryam Nawaz’s primary concerns was the healthcare sector’s lack of a sense of duty and service. “Our national tragedy is that we fail to regard our work as a service or responsibility.” She stated that many individuals in health-related positions fulfil their duties without comprehending the significance of their work.The Chief Minister condemned the larceny of medicines in government hospitals and noted that security personnel had been discovered stealing money from patients for hospital admissions. “It is incomprehensible that even the poor’s medicines are stolen, and patients are asked to get tests done outside the hospitals,” she said.
Maryam Nawaz disclosed her objectives for enhancing the province’s healthcare infrastructure. “We are making significant efforts, but change does not occur overnight,” she stated, revealing that mobile health clinics have already provided care to more than 7 million individuals. Additionally, she referenced the commencement of complimentary home delivery services for pharmaceuticals, emphasising remedies for cancer, hepatitis, and heart disease. Punjab is also in the process of constructing a state-of-the-art heart disease facility.
Maryam Nawaz recently visited China and acquired a new perspective on contemporary cancer treatments, which she intends to implement in Pakistan. “The most significant accomplishment will be introducing this cutting-edge cancer treatment to our nation,” she stated, noting that the construction of Pakistan’s inaugural government-operated cancer treatment facility was proceeding rapidly.Furthermore, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of the Nawaz Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha. This facility will offer heart disease treatment in a region that had previously been devoid of such services. Maryam Nawaz also underscored the ongoing renovation of Punjab’s primary healthcare centres, which are scheduled to be entirely renovated this month.“We have 2,500 primary health care centres in Punjab, and renovation work is already underway at 904 centres,” said the representative.