LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated Pakistan’s first heart transplant centre at the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, announcing free heart transplant treatment for deserving patients and a special fund to cover the cost of the procedures. The chief minister said the Punjab government would bear up to $50,000 for each heart transplant under the initiative, ensuring that financial constraints did not prevent deserving patients from receiving the life-saving treatment.
She also formally inaugurated the 250-bed Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, built at a cost of Rs16 billion and equipped with advanced facilities for comprehensive cardiac care.
During her visit, Ms Maryam inspected the heart transplant centre, angiography suite, diagnostic rooms, outpatient department and other sections of the institute. She also examined a modern heart-lung machine, high-end Tesla MRI and other advanced medical equipment. Cardiac treatment has already commenced at the institute, with the first angiography scheduled to be performed on the newly installed equipment. The facility includes a catheterisation laboratory, MRI, modular operation theatres, cardiac wards, pathology and radiology laboratories, intensive care and emergency departments. The chief minister appreciated the services of internationally renowned UK-based cardiologist Dr Hasnat Khan, who has returned to Pakistan to serve patients at the institute. Dr Khan said he would also contribute to the training of doctors and other medical staff.
“We have to change the mindset that good work can only be done abroad,” she said, stressing the need to provide international-standard healthcare within Pakistan.
The chief minister appreciated the contributions of Dr Azhar Kayani, Dr Farqad Alamgir, Dr Adnan Khan, IDAP CEO Shah Mir Iqbal, Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood, Secretary Nadia Saqib and other members of the team involved in the project.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq thanked the chief minister for the initiative and said Punjab’s health projects were increasingly benefiting people beyond the province.
He also attributed the PML-N’s recent success in Azad Kashmir to its performance, saying the government’s health initiatives reflected its commitment to public service.
The Jinnah Institute of Cardiology has been established according to international standards and will provide comprehensive cardiac treatment under the supervision of internationally recognised specialists.
