Lahore : Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, speaking at a health conference in Lahore, pledged to overhaul the province’s healthcare system to ensure better access and quality care for all citizens.
She acknowledged that while medicines were technically available in the past, patients often went without them. “Funds meant for medicines for the underprivileged will no longer be lost to corruption,” she asserted.
Highlighting her administration’s focus on healthcare, Maryam Nawaz announced that the provincial health budget has been increased from Rs399 billion to Rs630 billion, with the goal of providing high-quality treatment free of charge to every resident.
The Chief Minister expressed serious concern over hospital irregularities, criticizing the collusion between pharmacy staff and outsiders in the sale of government-provided medicines. She also condemned complaints about out-of-service CT scan and MRI machines, calling such lapses unacceptable.
Maryam Nawaz instructed that all defective medical equipment be repaired promptly to prevent delays or inconvenience for patients.
She sent a firm message to her team: “If even a single person does not receive proper care, it will be a failure of mine, the Health Minister, and all of us.” She emphasized that the government’s aim goes beyond building facilities—it is about delivering meaningful relief and ensuring citizens receive the care they deserve.
