LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said stroke centres will be established across the province, marking a significant advancement in emergency healthcare infrastructure to ensure timely treatment of such patients in every district.

Presiding over a meeting to review the Stroke Management Programme here on Thursday, the chief minister said under a phased implementation plan, stroke centres would be established in all district headquarters hospitals in Punjab, beginning with 30 facilities in the first phase, followed by 15 in the second and the remaining 24 in the final phase.

“The initiative aims to ensure that stroke patients receive critical treatment within the crucial four-hour ‘golden window’ during which timely intervention can prevent permanent disability. Every patient should have access to emergency medical facilities at the nearest hospital, eliminating the need for patients to travel to distant cities during medical emergencies,” she said and added each district would be equipped with qualified neurologists and pediatric neurologists to manage stroke cases effectively.

The CM directed that CT scan machines in all government hospitals across Punjab be made fully functional to support rapid diagnosis and treatment protocols.

The meeting was told that physicians would receive specialised training in stroke management, including administration of Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA) and Tenecteplase (TNK) injections. The CM set a target of mid-February for completing injection procurement and treatment training programmes. Approval was granted for the purchase of TPA injections, while a consensus was reached on providing the advanced TNK injection for stroke treatment.

To bridge immediate healthcare gaps, the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) will temporarily provide stroke management services until district-level facilities become operational.

The stroke management training programme will ensure that physicians are properly trained in emergency protocols and can administer life-saving treatments promptly.

The meeting was informed that stroke remained a main cause of death and disability in Pakistan, with thousands of cases reported annually. “The timely administration of clot-busting medications within the golden window can dramatically improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of long-term disabilities on families and the healthcare system.”

Honorarium Card for Prayer Leaders

The chief minister on Thursday launched Punjab’s first honorarium card for prayer leaders that will provide monthly financial support to over 66,000 registered Imams across the province.

Ms Nawaz distributed honorarium cards among the prayer leaders from various districts of Punjab. “The project, which will cost Rs20 billion annually, introduces a transparent digital payment mechanism, ensuring direct transfers to the beneficiaries,” she said.

Under the scheme, registered Imams will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs25,000 through the CM Honorarium Card. The recipients can withdraw funds directly from ATMs, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring complete transparency in disbursements. Regular payments through the card system will commence from February.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2026