Rs15bn JIC to provide latest cardiac facilities: Punjab govt taking emergency services to next level

LAHORE: The Punjab government is building a state-of-the-art Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore with an amount of over Rs 15 billion. In this institute, international level medical facilities will be provided to the patients.

All the relevant institutions including IDEP are working day and night on Jinnah Institute of Cardiology Lahore. Insha Allah, this cardiology hospital will be completed on time.

Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique reached the under-construction Jinnah Institute of Cardiology Lahore to review the ongoing progress.

Maira Ali from the executing agency IDAP and contractors gave a briefing on the ongoing progress.

Khawaja Salman Rafique expressed his views and said that the emergency and OPD of Jinnah Institute of Cardiology will be opened for the public very soon, Insha Allah. The Punjab government is striving to increase the treatment and care facilities for patients suffering from heart diseases and provide the best medical facilities at their doorstep, he said.

Moreover, a meeting to review the Chief Minister’s initiatives was held at the Rescue Headquarters under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique.

Secretary Emergency Services Dr. Rizwan Naseer briefed on the progress of the new airstrip in Bhakkar for air ambulance, expansion of rescue services in different towns, deceased care services and modern equipment regarding flood response. A briefing was also given on the safety survey report of high-rise buildings across Punjab.

The meeting was informed that the Punjab government is committed to taking emergency services to the next level.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the best emergency facilities are being provided to the people. The construction of an air strip has started in Bhakkar to facilitate the air ambulance service.

He said that the Fire Rescue Service has so far responded to more than 280,000 fire emergencies and saved potential losses of more than Rs 768 billion. Work is underway at a rapid pace on 33 new rescue stations under construction. Dead body transfer service will be available in every tehsil across Punjab, he added.

Secretary Emergency Services Punjab Dr. Rizwan Naseer said that modern communication equipment, landing craft, jets and boat carriers for Rescue 1122 have been advertised.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026