The Government of Punjab has formally launched the Chief Minister Adult Cardiac Surgery Program in Lahore, under which heart patients will be provided free treatment and surgery facilities.
Under the program, the first patient has successfully undergone open heart surgery at Punjab Institute of Cardiology. Currently, more than 8,000 patients in Punjab are waiting for heart operations.
Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique stated that emergency surgeries have been started during extended hours in public hospitals, while private hospitals have also been included in the program.
He said the government has set a target to eliminate the waiting list within 6 to 7 months, and in the first phase, critically ill patients will be prioritized for surgeries.
According to the provincial health minister, free treatment worth up to 1 million rupees per patient per year will be provided, and all major heart surgeries will be covered under this program.
He further added that more than 3 billion rupees have been allocated for this project, while a special reserve fund has also been established for complex cases. Referrals to private hospitals will be made with the approval of a multidisciplinary team.
