Punjab CM inaugurates cancer treatment facilities at Nishtar Hospital

LAHORE  –  Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated a PET-CT cyclotron facility and a cryoablation centre at Nishtar Hospital Multan, in­troducing advanced diagnostic and minimally invasive cancer treatment facilities, before later inaugurating the Pakistan International Auto Show 2026 at the Expo Centre Lahore.At Nishtar Hospital, the chief minis­ter inspected the newly installed cryo­ablation machine and was briefed that the Chinese technology could destroy cancerous tumours with needles, of­fering a minimally invasive treatment option for patients.

She also visited the PET-CT cyclo­tron centre and reviewed the working of the cyclotron machine, radiophar­maceutical production laboratory and pharmacy hot lab.

Maryam inspected the 100-bed cancer centre, including its OPD, ICU, chemotherapy and radiotherapy rooms, digital and CT simulator room and focused radiotherapy linear ac­celerator room. During the visit, she met Musarrat Arshad, 55, from Kama­lia, the first patient to receive cancer treatment through the cryoablation machine. The patient became emo­tional while recounting her success­ful treatment, prompting the chief minister to console and congratulate her on her recovery. Maryam also met 24-year-old Nasreen from Mian Chan­nu and inquired about her health. Speaking to the patient’s mother, she said the cryoablation machine had been brought from China for cancer treatment and expressed hope that Nasreen would make a full recovery. “I have brought the cryoablation ma­chine from China for cancer treat­ment. There is no need to worry now,” she said. The chief minister interacted with doctors and urged them to con­tinue serving patients with dedica­tion. She also met members of the public during her visit to the hospital. Officials briefed Maryam that a sepa­rate cancer ward for children had also been established at the Multan Cancer Centre. She directed the authorities to make the ward fully functional at the earliest. Punjab Health Minister Kha­waja Salman Rafique, Communication and Works Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar and Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood gave her a detailed briefing on the facilities.