Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz recently initiated a program that has significantly reduced the paediatric heart surgery waiting list. This initiative has enabled 530 patients to receive treatment across six government and eight private hospitals.
A dedicated dashboard monitors the program’s implementation, ensuring prompt and efficient patient management. Officials confirm the meticulous registration and entry of patient details into a central database, facilitating timely surgeries.
The initiative has referred approximately 4,500 children for treatment throughout the province. These surgeries occur at the Children’s Hospital and Cardiology Institutes in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi, as well as four private hospitals in Lahore, three in Multan, and one in Islamabad.
“The health of every child matters, and our commitment is to tirelessly work to save their lives,” stated the Chief Minister. She emphasized that the Children’s Heart Surgery Program also extends care to children from other provinces, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Addressing the challenges, she noted the distress young patients endure while waiting for surgery, describing it as “extremely painful.” She also highlighted ongoing efforts to address the shortage of specialized heart surgeons and trained staff to enhance the capacity of children’s hospitals, ensuring that no child suffering from cardiovascular diseases goes untreated.
