LAHORE — The Punjab government has deployed five new cryoablation machines across the province’s major oncology centers, a move aimed at reducing the waiting list for patients requiring minimally invasive tumor treatment.
Cryoablation—a procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy cancerous tissue—offers a viable alternative for patients who aren’t candidates for traditional surgery. By freezing the tumors, doctors can target malignant growths while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
The health department confirmed the arrival of the equipment this week. The machines are being installed at the Punjab Institute of Cancer Treatment and other tertiary care facilities in Lahore and Multan. Officials expect the units to be fully operational by the end of the month.
“This technology changes the recovery timeline for our patients,” said a senior oncologist involved in the rollout. “Patients who previously faced weeks of recovery after open surgery can now go home within twenty-four hours.”
The expansion addresses a critical bottleneck in the provincial healthcare system. Previously, patients needing cryoablation often faced months-long delays or were forced to seek treatment at private facilities, where costs frequently exceed half a million rupees per procedure. Under the new initiative, the treatment will be provided at no cost to registered patients.
Beyond the reduced recovery time, the procedure carries a lower risk of infection and blood loss. Doctors say it’s particularly effective for liver, lung, and kidney cancers where tumors are localized but surgically complex to reach.
The provincial health ministry has also initiated a training program for local surgeons. With the equipment now on-site, the government plans to clear the existing backlog of over 400 patients within the next quarter.
While the machines mark a technological upgrade, the real test lies in the maintenance and supply chain for the specialized probes required for each procedure. For now, the administration says it has secured a six-month supply of consumables to keep the units running without interruption.
