LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the authorities concerned to ensure the early completion of the District Cardiac Cath Lab Project, aimed at providing state-of-the-art cardiac facilities in every district to reduce pressure on major hospitals.

The CM was told in a meeting on Saturday that following the establishment of a cath lab at the Jhelum DHQ Hospital, facilities in Jhang, Mianwali and Vehari were ready and would be made functional soon.

In the second phase, cath labs would be made operational in Bhakkar, Chakwal, Hafizabad, Khanewal, Mandi Bahauddin, Rajanpur and Toba Tek Singh, the meeting was further told.

“Each district’s cardiac cath lab will provide advanced services including angiography, angioplasty and primary PCI. With the availability of these facilities, it will be possible to save the lives of heart patients reaching the hospital within 60 to 90 minutes during cardiac emergencies,” it was informed.

The CM directed the Health department to ensure the deployment of specialist doctors, interventional cardiologists and trained staff at district cardiology centres. She approved a special pay package for doctors performing duties at district cardiac cath labs to encourage skilled professionals to serve at the district-level.

“All district-level, state-of-the-art cardiac cath labs will provide the best possible treatment for heart diseases in line with international SOPs,” she said and added that during heart attack emergencies, patients would no longer need to travel to distant major cities, as life-saving treatment would be available at nearby district hospitals.

Ms Maryam said the establishment of cardiac cath labs at the district-level would significantly improve the healthcare system and reduce overcrowding at large hospitals.

“Who could have imagined that DHQ hospitals would be equipped with cath labs offering advanced cardiac treatment?” she said.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2026