LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the Diaspora Doctor Locum Programme (DDLP) under which overseas Pakistani and foreign specialist doctors will perform advanced surgeries and provide medical services in 12 public sector hospitals across the province.

Chairing a special meeting of the Specialised Healthcare Department, the CM approved the launch of the programme aimed at bringing highly qualified international medical professionals to Punjab. A dedicated dashboard and operational web portal will also be established for the programme.

Under the DDLP, experienced and reputable Pakistani and foreign specialist doctors would be engaged for short-term assignments in Punjab’s public hospitals. Overseas specialists participating in the programme would be allowed to perform up to eight advanced surgical procedures during their tenure.

Overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals possessing specialist qualifications will be eligible to participate. Eligibility criteria includes postgraduate qualifications, at least three years of overseas fellowship experience, and a valid fitness certificate.

Participating doctors will be required to serve in Punjab for a minimum of 15 days. The programme’s online portal will facilitate registration, credential verification, commitments, appointment procedures, payment mechanisms, and reporting systems.

The CM was also presented with the DDLP dashboard, which is expected to become operational shortly. She directed the authorities to establish a comprehensive web portal to ensure transparency and efficiency. Furthermore, the meeting was told that foreign specialists participating in the programme would also train local healthcare professionals. The CM directed the launch of a similar initiative for the nursing sector.

“Bringing the best human resources to Punjab is my mission,” Maryam Nawaz said, adding that foreign specialist doctors and nurses would be offered attractive packages. She stressed that hospital directors must be highly efficient and proactive, observing that quality nursing care could transform healthcare outcomes.

The meeting was also informed that the inauguration of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, was expected on July 15; the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research on July 31; while the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore was likely to be inaugurated on August 15.

The capital works of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, have been completed, and the chief minister approved its inauguration on July 15. A short documentary on the institute was also presented, following which Ms Maryam appreciated the Specialised Healthcare Department and IDAP teams for their efforts.

The meeting was informed that packages A and B of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research would be completed by July 31. It was agreed that the cancer hospital would be inaugurated on July 31, 2026, while the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, would be inaugurated on August 15.Recruitment at the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, is expected to be completed by July 10.

The capital works of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, have been completed, and the chief minister approved its inauguration on July 15. A short documentary on the institute was also presented, following which Maryam Nawaz appreciated the Specialised Healthcare Department and IDAP teams for their efforts.

The meeting was informed that Packages A and B of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research would be completed by July 31. It was agreed that the cancer hospital would be inaugurated on July 31, 2026, while the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, would be inaugurated on August 15.

Recruitment at the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, is expected to be completed by July 10.The CM received detailed briefings on the progress of these hospitals as well as overall healthcare service delivery in the province.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2026