LAHORE (The Thursday Times) — Lahore is poised to host the country’s inaugural state-of-the-art government cancer hospital. Announced by Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, this initiative marks a significant leap forward in Pakistan’s medical sector, aiming to provide comprehensive and advanced cancer care accessible to the populace at large.
“Lahore will have Pakistan’s first state-of-the-art government cancer hospital insha’Allah,” Maryam Nawaz declared in a post on X, setting the stage for a monumental project that aims to revolutionise cancer care in Pakistan. This statement is not just a promise of a new facility; it is a beacon of hope for countless families affected by cancer, who often find themselves battling not just the disease but also the daunting costs of treatment.
Cancer, a leading cause of mortality globally, presents a formidable healthcare challenge in Pakistan, exacerbated by limited access to specialised care and the high cost of treatments. The new cancer hospital initiative under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s leadership is a testament to the government’s resolve to bridge this gap, ensuring that cutting-edge cancer treatment becomes a right, not a privilege, for every Pakistani citizen.
Alongside the announcement of the new cancer hospital, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has outlined a comprehensive plan for major and extensive reforms within the healthcare system. These reforms include the overhauling of dispensaries, Basic Health Units (BHUs), Rural Health Centres (RHCs), and Tehsil Headquarters Hospitals (THQs). A pivotal part of this plan is to make free medicines available, including home delivery within the next 8 weeks, ensuring that healthcare is both accessible and convenient for all.
Each district in Punjab is set to have upgraded health facilities, equipped with the latest technology, so that patients do not have to travel to other cities for treatment. This initiative promises to significantly reduce healthcare disparities and enhance the overall quality of medical services across the province.
Furthermore, innovative solutions such as Clinic On Wheels and Field Hospitals are being introduced to extend healthcare services to remote and underserved areas, making medical care more accessible to those in dire need.
In an effort to promote transparency and efficiency, the Health Card is being redesigned. This new system aims to be corruption-free, ensuring that the benefits of healthcare reforms reach the intended recipients without any impediments.
In addition to the cancer hospital, plans for establishing specialised hospitals are underway, signifying a holistic approach to improving healthcare infrastructure in Punjab. These specialised hospitals will cater to various medical fields, offering state-of-the-art facilities and services to the populace.
