CM approves DDLP: Foreign specialists to treat patients in Punjab hospitals

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the Diaspora Doctor Locum Programme (DDLP) under which overseas Pakistani and foreign specialist doctors will perform advanced surgeries and provide medical services in 12 public sector hospitals across the province.

Under the Diaspora Doctor Locum Programme, experienced and reputable Pakistani and foreign specialist doctors will be engaged for short-term assignments in Punjab’s public hospitals. Overseas specialists participating in the programme will be allowed to perform up to eight advanced surgical procedures during their tenure. Upto 12 hospitals have been selected for the programme.

Overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals possessing specialist qualifications will be eligible to participate. Eligibility criteria include postgraduate qualifications, at least three years of overseas fellowship experience, and a valid fitness certificate. Participating doctors will be required to serve in Punjab for a minimum period of 15 days. The programme’s online portal will facilitate registration, credential verification, commitments, appointment procedures, payment mechanisms, and reporting systems.

Chairing a special meeting of the Specialised Healthcare Department, the CM approved the launch of the programme aimed at bringing highly qualified international medical professionals to Punjab. A dedicated dashboard and operational web portal will also be established for the programme.

The meeting was informed that the inauguration of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, is expected on July 15, the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research on July 31, while the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, is likely to be inaugurated on August 15.

The CM received detailed briefings regarding the progress of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research, and the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, besides healthcare service delivery in the province.

The CM was also presented with the DDLP dashboard, which is expected to become operational shortly. She directed the authorities to establish a comprehensive web portal to ensure transparency and efficiency.

Foreign specialists participating in the programme will also train local healthcare professionals. The CM further directed the launch of a similar initiative for the nursing sector.

“Bringing the best human resources to Punjab is my mission,” Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, adding that foreign specialist doctors and nurses would be offered attractive packages. She stressed that hospital directors must be highly efficient and proactive, observing that quality nursing care can transform healthcare outcomes.

The chief minister said that highly trained doctors and nurses would be welcomed at the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital.

During the briefing, it was informed that free treatment had been provided to 22 million patients across Punjab. Under the CM Children’s Heart Surgery Programme, 13,550 free heart surgeries for children had been completed.

Officials further informed the meeting that free medicines had been delivered to 728,000 patients at their doorsteps.

The capital works of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, have been completed, and the chief minister approved its inauguration on July 15. A short documentary on the institute was also presented, following which Maryam Nawaz appreciated the Specialised Healthcare Department and IDAP teams for their efforts.

She also praised the construction quality of the institute, remarking that the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, resembled a major hospital in Saudi Arabia.

The meeting was informed that Packages A and B of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research would be completed by July 31. It was agreed that the cancer hospital would be inaugurated on July 31, 2026, while the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, would be inaugurated on August 15.

Recruitment at the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, is expected to be completed by July 10.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026