Punjab Rs1.5 Billion Spent on Free Heart Surgeries Since March

Punjab – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Punjab has seen Rs1.5 billion spent on free heart surgeries under the Chief Minister’s Cardiac Surgery Programme since March 2026. The figure shows how fast the programme has grown in just a few months.

A review meeting was held at the Specialised Healthcare Department in Lahore. Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique chaired the session.

Dr Farqad Alamgir, chairman of the Chief Minister’s Advisory Committee on Cardiovascular Diseases, also took part. His advice helps guide how the programme is run.

Several senior officials joined the meeting. Specialised Healthcare Secretary Azmat Mehmood and Punjab Health Initiative Management Company CEO Dr Ali Razzaq were present. Special Secretary (Development) Ahmed Kamal Maan and Additional Secretary Dr Sataish also attended.

During the meeting, the health minister shared an update on hospitals. He said 44 hospitals have been added to the programme’s panel so far.

Of these, nine are public-sector hospitals and 35 are private-sector hospitals. This mix gives patients more choice and shorter waiting times.

Heart disease is a serious worry for many families. Surgery can cost a great deal, and many patients cannot pay for it. Free treatment lets them get care without selling property or taking loans.

The review looked at how the programme is working and how it can serve more people. Officials discussed ways to keep services smooth and reach patients who need help the most.

The Punjab government says it will keep supporting the programme. Its aim is to make sure no patient is turned away because of money.