‘Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital is being built to provide free treatment’

LAHORE: The Punjab government is constructing a 915-bed state-of-the-art Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore at a cost of about Rs 75 billion. In this hospital, level three and level four cancer patients will also be treated free of charge.

Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, Chairman Board of the institute and former Chief Secretary Punjab Captain Zahid Saeed (retd) and Secretary Health Azmat Mahmood visited the under-construction Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research for a detailed review.

Khawaja Salman Rafique, Captain Zahid Saeed (retd) and Azmat Mahmood reviewed the progress on the site of Institute and took a briefing on the master plan from the officers.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is continuously monitoring the progress on this institute. “Work is underway day and night on the institute which will be the first complete government cancer hospital in Pakistan. No patient will be denied treatment in this cancer hospital. Insha Allah, level three and level four cancer patients will also be treated free of cost in this hospital,” Salman said, adding: “The Cancer Institute will have paediatric oncology, operation theatres,10 radiation therapy bunkers, ICU and a 30-bed emergency ward. A waiting hall and 24 beds will also be built for the patients. The main building will house a bone marrow center, cancer care clinic, doctors’ residences and a mosque in the first phase. A new building with 300 beds and a parking plaza will also be built in the second phase. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, endoscopy and other facilities will be available in the first government cancer hospital.”

He said the patients coming from KPK, Sindh and other provinces will also be treated free of charge in this first government cancer hospital. Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital is not just a project for Punjab but for the whole of Pakistan. Cancer treatment is not just for the poor and the middle class, but for the rich, the accumulated capital is wasted, he added.

Chairman Board Captain Zahid Saeed (retd) said on this occasion that efforts are being made to complete the first phase of the cancer hospital soon. The progress made on the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research is being continuously reviewed.

Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood said on this occasion that IDAP has been directed to make the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research project functional within the stipulated time.

Moreover, Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique visited the mother and children injured in Shahdara tragic incident at Mayo Hospital’s Burn Unit and directed the doctors to provide them with the best medical facilities. He also directed the police to provide justice to the victim.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026