LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the establishment of stroke centers across the province, marking a significant advancement in emergency healthcare infrastructure that will enable timely treatment of stroke patients in every district of Punjab.
The decision was taken during a special meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, where a comprehensive review of the Stroke Management Program was conducted.
Under the phased implementation plan, stroke centers will be established in all district hospitals across Punjab, beginning with 30 facilities in the first phase, followed by 15 in the second phase, and the remaining 24 district hospitals in the final phase.
The initiative aims to ensure that stroke patients receive critical treatment within the crucial four-hour “golden window,” during which timely intervention can prevent permanent disability.
The Chief Minister emphasized that every patient should have access to emergency medical facilities at the nearest hospital, eliminating the need for patients to travel to distant cities during medical emergencies.
Each district will be equipped with qualified neurologists and pediatric neurologists to manage stroke cases effectively. The Chief Minister has directed that CT scan machines in all government hospitals across Punjab be made fully functional to support rapid diagnosis and treatment protocols.
In a briefing to the participants of the meeting, officials outlined that physicians will receive specialized training in stroke management, including administration of Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA) and Tenecteplase (TNK) injections.
The Chief Minister set a target of mid-February for completing injection procurement and treatment training programs. Approval was granted for the purchase of TPA injections, while consensus was reached on providing the advanced TNK injection for stroke treatment. To bridge immediate healthcare gaps, the Punjab Institute of Cardiology will temporarily provide stroke management services until district-level facilities become operational. The stroke management training program will ensure that physicians are highly trained in emergency protocols and can administer life-saving treatments promptly.
The CM stressed the importance of public awareness, ordering an effective campaign to educate citizens about stroke symptoms and the critical importance of the four-hour golden period. “We are establishing stroke centers in every district and will gradually expand coverage to tehsil level,” she stated.
Medical experts informed the participants of the meeting that stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability in Pakistan, with thousands of cases reported annually. The timely administration of clot-busting medications within the golden window can dramatically improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of long-term disabilities on families and the healthcare system.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026