Punjab government’s focus on timely completion and operationalisation of key healthcare projects is a welcome and much-needed development.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s clear directives to inaugurate major institutions such as the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research and the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology within set deadlines reflect a sense of urgency and seriousness that has often been missing in public sector healthcare planning.
The operationalisation of Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research, in particular, has the potential to provide relief to thousands of cancer patients who currently struggle to access affordable treatment, especially those belonging to low-income and vulnerable segments of society. Equally commendable are Punjab government’s recent measures aimed at improving the overall performance of public sector hospitals. Directions to implement a digital monitoring system and enforce a zero-tolerance policy against theft and mismanagement of medicines indicate an understanding that infrastructure alone is not enough. Without transparency, accountability and effective oversight, even well-equipped hospitals fail to serve their purpose. These reforms, if implemented in letter and in spirit, can go a long way in restoring public trust in government-run healthcare facilities. That said, while the focus on completing flagship projects demonstrates the chief minister’s priorities and concern for public welfare, it is important that this momentum is not confined to Lahore or other major cities.
The concentration of advanced healthcare facilities in urban centres has long placed an unsustainable burden on hospitals in big cities, as patients from smaller towns and rural areas are forced to travel long distances for treatment. This not only increases costs and hardship for patients but also overcrowds tertiary hospitals, affecting the quality of care. To address this imbalance, the upgradation of district-level hospitals must be made a parallel priority. Ensuring that these hospitals are equipped with modern diagnostic facilities, specialist services and adequate staffing can significantly reduce the need for patients to seek care in major cities. Similarly, rural health centres and basic health units require sustained investment and reform so that primary and preventive healthcare is available at people’s doorsteps, ensuring equitable access and long-term improvements in public health outcomes.
