Health Minister Khawaja Salman on Tuesday visited the site of Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research and directed Infrastructure Development Authority of the Punjab (IDAP) to make the institute functional in one year.
The minister reviewed the ongoing progress and said the institute would be Pakistan’s first complete government cancer hospital. Level 3 and level 4 cancer patients will also get free treatment. Infrastructure Development Authority of the Punjab (IDAP) has been directed to make the institute functional in the year, Khawaja Salman said and that cancer hospital with 915 beds will be completed in two phases.
In the first phase, peads oncology, operation theatres, 10-radiation therapy bunker, ICU and 30-bed emergency ward will be built. A waiting hall and 24 beds will also be built for the maintenance staff. In the main building, a bone marrow centre, cancer care clinic, residences for doctors and a mosque will be built in the first phase.
In the second phase, a new building with 300 beds and a parking plaza will also be built, the minister said. He added in this cancer hospital, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, endoscopy and other facilities will be available.
A target of twelve months has been given for the completion of the first phase of the cancer hospital.
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In a major health initiative, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif laid the foundation stone for Pakistan’s first public-sector cancer hospital to provide free treatment for advanced-stage cancer patients.
Addressing an event, CM Maryam said: “Punjab has opened its doors of resources for different regions. In the form of a cancer hospital, our dream is going to be fulfilled.”
She said: “Nawaz Sharif has stayed premier multiple times, so keeping the name after Nawaz Sharif is his right. This hospital will be recognized as Pakistan’s only world-class public hospital. The hospital will begin working in the first phase earlier in 2025.”
At the event, CM said that this day emerged as the dream they dreamt of before. She also claimed that every one of the patients across the country would be treated in the hospital.
Maryam expressed that the establishment of this hospital was a long-cherished dream. “Today, we are making progress. No patient is turned away from Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital,” she said.
The CM noticed that the facility would serve Punjab as well as the whole nation, giving help from the burden of expensive cancer medicines and diagnostics.
Highlighting the hospital’s nationwide reach, Maryam Nawaz reiterated Punjab’s commitment to extend resources beyond provincial borders to ease the financial burden of cancer treatment and diagnosis. Addressing the hospital’s name, she noticed the recognition of Nawaz Sharif’s contributions as a three-time prime minister.
The Chief Minister asked for fast advancement on the three-year project, emphasizing transparency and effectiveness, and guaranteed that the hospital would be equipped with current innovations for comprehensive cancer care. She also reported the revival of free medical services in government hospitals, encouraging doctors abroad to return, and promising equivalent professional opportunities inside Pakistan.
“We are committed to viable, on-ground activity as opposed to words alone,” she remarked, adding that the hospital would be completely furnished with the latest machinery to ensure comprehensive cancer care.
Maryam Nawaz also addressed recent strides to revive free medical services, which she claimed had been curtailed by the past government. She stated, “Free medicines are presently available again in government hospitals, and healthcare facilities are reaching individuals at their doorsteps.”