CM sets June 30 deadline to operationalise 24 more stroke care centres

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has set a target to make 24 additional primary stroke centres functional across the province by June 30 under the ‘CM Stroke Program.’

Chairing a special meeting, she also approved the formation of a 12-member advisory committee for the program, to be headed by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, with Professor Qasim Bashir appointed as convener.

The meeting was informed that 15 primary stroke centers are already functional, where 700 stroke patients have been administered life-saving injections, preventing lifelong disability. Stroke management centers are currently operational at major hospitals in Lahore, including Services Hospital, Mayo Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and Punjab Institute of Neurosciences. Additionally, primary stroke centres are functional in cities including Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Narowal, Rahim Yar Khan, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Bhakkar and Layyah.

Under Phase-I expansion, additional centers will be established in multiple cities including Gujrat, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Vehari, Jhelum, Kasur, Mandi Bahauddin, Sheikhupura, Toba Tek Singh, and Khanewal. Phase-II will further expand services to 17 additional cities, including Chakwal, Pakpattan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Mianwali, Bahawalnagar, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Lodhran, Khushab, Okara, Attock, Nankana Sahib, Wazirabad, Murree, Kot Addu, and Talagang.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has also approved the establishment of four additional mechanical thrombectomy centers for advanced stroke treatment, while comprehensive stroke centres are already functional at Punjab Institute of Neurosciences Lahore and Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, with more to be operational soon in other cities. New stroke centres will also be set up at Holy Family Hospital, Allied Hospital, Nishtar Hospital, and Bahawal Victoria Hospital.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized that neurologists and neurosurgeons will be appointed at these centers, with specially trained doctors ensuring immediate treatment for stroke patients. Each primary stroke centre will be linked to a nearby neurology facility, and dedicated “stroke bays” will be established to provide rapid and specialized care, significantly improving patient outcomes across Punjab.

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