Addressing Medical Superintendents and CEOs of government hospitals in Lahore, she said that while all essential medicines are available, discrimination, poor monitoring, or corruption in the healthcare system can cost lives. She emphasized that accountability and supervision — not funding — remain the core issues in hospitals.
The chief minister instructed officials not to remain confined to air-conditioned offices but to personally inspect wards, monitor medicine distribution, and ensure no bribery or irregularities occur. She warned that strict action would be taken against any complaints of corruption, particularly involving funds allocated for medicines for underprivileged patients.
Maryam Nawaz also announced a ban on mobile phone use by nurses and hospital staff during duty hours, stating that ensuring phone-free service would improve focus and patient care. She directed authorities to strengthen hospital fire safety systems as well.
Speaking at an event related to pediatric heart surgeries, she revealed that Rs 3 billion have been allocated for children’s cardiac procedures, with complete pediatric cardiac kits prepared. More than 10,000 surgeries are planned under the initiative, which she described as a major step forward for the province’s healthcare sector.
The chief minister noted that despite allocating Rs 100 billion to healthcare, instances of criminal negligence persist. She directed that each hospital bed should accommodate only one patient, rather than multiple occupants, and highlighted the recruitment of 1,500 new doctors and between 5,000 to 6,000 nurses.
She urged medical professionals to treat saving lives as their foremost mission, warning that failure to provide proper care to even one patient would reflect a breakdown in the entire system.
