Pakistan Print edition: 2026-02-20

CM’s ‘Stroke Programme’: Free treatment facilities of over Rs3bn to be extended

Published February 20, 2026 Updated February 20, 2026 06:57am

2 min

By Muhammad Saleem

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LAHORE: Under the Chief Minister’s Stroke Program, free treatment facilities worth over Rs 3 billion will be provided to stroke patients every year.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has already approved the establishment of a stroke management center in every district. In-principle decision has also been taken to appoint a neurologist and paediatric neurologist in every DHQ.

This was revealed in the meeting of the Advisory Committee on Chief Minister’s Stroke Program held here on Thursday under the chairmanship of Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique.

It was informed in the meeting that important steps are underway to implement revolutionary and historic initiatives in the health sector of the Punjab government. Secretary of the Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Azmat Mahmud attended the meeting.

Prof. Qasim Bashir gave a detailed briefing to the Advisory Committee about the Chief Minister Stroke Program. The members of the Advisory Committee appreciated the program and also offered valuable feedback.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that a mechanism is being explained to immediately provide stroke management training to doctors and nurses in every district. Steps are also being taken to start a telemedicine project for stroke patients. Doctors of district hospitals will be able to contact specialists and consultants by telephone for immediate treatment of stroke patients. Instructions have been given to start a public awareness campaign for stroke treatment. The importance of golden hours for stroke treatment is undeniable, he said. A stroke management center should be established in every children hospital in Punjab, he added

Prof. Qasim Bashir said in the briefing that one in four people over the age of 25 is at risk of stroke.

Advisory Committee members said that awareness and training are mandatory for pre-hospital, hospital and post-hospital care of stroke.

Secretary Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Azmat Mahmood said that instructions have been given to hold a training workshop in this regard in Lahore soon. All kinds of resources will be provided for the treatment of stroke patients. To run this program in a better way, existing resources are also being included in the system in a better way. Every patient who comes for stroke treatment is important to us, he said.

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