A dangerous increase in the number of patients suffering from heart diseases has been recorded in the provincial capital, resulting in extraordinary pressure on the emergency department of the Punjab Institute of Cardiology.
According to the report, during the past eight months, 282,962 patients were reported at the PIC emergency department, while 20,530 procedures were completed during this period. In the same timeframe, 4,719 primary PCIs were performed.
Statistics show that the highest number of patients visited the emergency department in July, with 40,936 patients recorded. During that month, 2,726 procedures and 627 primary PCIs were carried out. Meanwhile, in January 2026, 36,879 patients were reported, including 3,180 procedures and 740 primary PCIs performed.
According to sources, it has also been revealed that patients with minor heart attacks are being discharged after initial medical aid, while some patients are being referred to the OPD for long periods. It has further been reported that due to the lack of immediate primary PCI in the emergency department, serious patients are being forced to visit the emergency repeatedly.
On the other hand, the Medical Superintendent of PIC and spokesperson Dr. Aamir Butt stated that all patients arriving at the emergency department are being provided immediate medical assistance according to available capacity. Despite the increasing pressure of patients, procedures and angioplasty are continuing.
