LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday announced an additional Rs5 billion for stroke treatment and pledged to establish more such centres besides cardiac, paediatric and cancer facilities at every divisional headquarters across the province.
She also announced that heart transplant surgeries would begin soon at the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology.
Speaking at an event marking the World Stroke Day at the Punjab Institute of Neurosciences (PINS), the chief minister said no stroke patient would be denied treatment due to a shortage of funds, directing the officials to inform her directly about any financial requirements.
She visited the institute’s intensive care unit and control room, observed neurosurgical procedures from the operating theatre gallery and interacted with patients. She also witnessed the rehabilitation of stroke patients through robotic physiotherapy.
Maryam said timely treatment was critical in stroke cases as patients had a window of four to five hours during which medical intervention could significantly improve their chances of recovery.
She urged people to seek immediate medical assistance if they experienced symptoms such as arm weakness or difficulty in speaking, and advised them to call Rescue 1122 without delay. High blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol could increase the risk of stroke, she said stressing that its symptoms should never be ignored.
The chief minister said Rescue 1122 had helped save the lives of 85 stroke patients by transporting them to stroke centres in time.
She pointed out that the cost of the Tenecteplase (TNK) injection used in stroke treatment was beyond the reach of many ordinary people, while travelling from distant districts such as Rahim Yar Khan to Lahore for treatment posed additional difficulties.
The establishment of local stroke facilities would help patients receive timely care closer to home, she said.
The chief minister said 15 additional stroke centres would be established, adding that PINS Executive Director Dr Asif Bashir and head of neurology Dr Qasim Bashir were training doctors and nurses to strengthen specialised stroke care.
LCCI PRESIDENT: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Ali Hussam called on Maryam Nawaz.
The chief minister said all possible measures would be taken to resolve the problems faced by the business community.
She said the process of digitalisation was progressing rapidly to make Punjab a business-friendly province.
She said the e-Biz initiative had been introduced to facilitate traders, industrialists and investors.
She said bureaucratic hurdles and red tape were being removed to promote industrialisation in the province.
Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2026
