Following the approval of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government officially launched the Prime Minister’s Adult Cardiac Surgery Programme, which aims to provide free cardiac treatment to heart patients across the province.
Lahore, March 24, 2026) Following the approval of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government has officially launched the Prime Minister’s Adult Cardiac Surgery Programme, which aims to provide free cardiac treatment to heart patients across the province.
Under the initiative, the value of free treatment facilities is worth more than Rs 3,00,000 one billion It will be offered annually to patients suffering from heart diseases, a press release issued here on Tuesday said.
An important meeting regarding the launch of the program was held at Punjab Health Initiative Management Company, in the presence of Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee on Cardiology Dr. Farqad Alamgir, Secretary Health and Specialized Medical Care. education Azmat Mahmood, and PHIMC CEO Dr. Ali Razzaq.
Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the government is taking historic and fundamental steps in the health sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz. He appreciated the contributions of health economist Dr Muhammad Adnan Khan, Dr Farqad Alamgir, Azmat Mahmood and Dr Ali Razzaq in making the program possible.
He said that 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 the 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 Cardiology Institute, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Multan Institute of Cardiology, Wazirabad Institute of Cardiology.
Khawaja Salman Rafiq said that more hospitals will also be established under the program to improve patient access, while government cardiac institutions will be developed further.
He added that the initiative would significantly reduce the waiting list for adult heart surgeries, as all types of adult heart surgery were included in the program.
Under this policy, government cardiac institutions will operate essential Registration and treatment centres, while transfers to private hospitals will only be made through a multidisciplinary team (MDT).
Cardiology Advisory Committee Chairman Dr Farqad Alamgir said the annual coverage for each patient has been set at Rs 1 lakh, while a reserve fund will also be available for complex cases or patients whose treatment costs exceed the standard package.
An IT-based dashboard will be developed to ensure transparency and effective implementation of the programme, Specialized Healthcare Minister Azmat Mahmood said, adding that the initiative is expected to save thousands of lives across Punjab.