
CM Maryam pays surprise visit to DHQ Hospital Nankana Sahib
She visited the emergency and other wards of the DHQ Hospital and inquired from the patients and attendants about the facilities being provided in the hospital. She inquired about provision of free medicines from every patient and checked the hospital slips.
She appreciated the installation of a board displaying availability of medicines and its quantity in the Main Waiting Room of the hospital. She checked the time of arrival, diagnosis and provision of medicines of the patients. She appreciated the diagnosis of every patient within an average of one and a half hours along with provision of medicines.
Earlier, the CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif reached the villages of Nankana Sahib to review the post-flood situation.
She made a marathon visit stretching about a two-and-a-half-hour tour of Nankana Sahib City and suburban villages. She announced the construction of two flood drains in Nankana Sahib to protect people against devastating flood torrents. She directed an early completion of roads in Nankana Sahib and other development projects.
She sought the beautification plan of Nankana Sahib within two weeks and further directed the issuance of funds in this regard at the earliest. She announced an increase in the number of electric buses for Nankana Sahib district. She reiterated her commitment for making Nankana Sahib a model city. She directed to ensure making zebra crossings and installing signboards in front of the school and directed to control the prices of 'Roti'.
The CM directed to increase the number of clinics-on-wheels for Nankana Sahib and directed to improve the city's entrance routes, roads and build better shoulder roads on the sides of the city's main road. She also directed to include Dafar Khokhran and other villages in the Model Village Scheme. She visited the flood-affected areas in Jaslani Mor and inspected flood-affected houses and agricultural land.
She launched the distribution of relief goods by PDMA in Miranpur village. PDMA is providing special kits, mosquito nets and clothing to the flood-affected families.
She interacted with the flood victims. An elderly woman prayed for the wellbeing of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for making an announcement of building a model village. She shook hands with all the women turn by turn and said, 'I have come to meet you, I have to converse with you as well'.
She also visited the areas of Dholar Chowk, Gurdwara Janm Asthan Chowk, DPS Chowk, Berry Chowk, Chungi Chowk, Railway Road, Peer Ahmad Shah Road and Mananwala Phatak in Nankana Sahib.
Seeing the Chief Minister, the public gathered in a large number and children came closer to her. She presented gifts of sweets to the children, talked to them, showed her affection to them. She inquired from the public about the administration's measures regarding provision of relief to the flood-affected people during floodwaters and torrential rains.
She met with the members of parliament belonging to Nankana Sahib at the Deputy Commissioner's Office. Deputy Commissioner Nankana Sahib gave a detailed briefing about the flood situation and ongoing development projects.
It was informed in the briefing that 1525 acres of land was submerged due to overflowing of rivers and canals in Nankana Sahib. About 22 villages in Nankana Sahib were affected by the flood. More than 20,000 encroachments were removed. Total 1194 special people were given 'Himmat Cards'.
The CM directed to increase the number of beneficiaries of 'Himmat Card' scheme in Nankana Sahib. 788 loans have been granted under the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' project in Nankana Sahib and 400 houses are under construction. 176 green tractors were given on subsidy, while wheat farmers got 20 tractors free of cost. 267 livestock, 1,715 minority cards were given in Nankana Sahib and 242 agricultural tube wells are included in the solar scheme.
She directed the relevant stakeholders to redress the loss of farmers whose crops were badly affected due to flood torrents. She directed provision of financial assistance to the residents of mud houses which collapsed due to the flood torrents, adding that grabbing of any land by the land mafia will tantamount to the failure of the relevant Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner.
She underscored, 'It is heart rending to see the treatment being meted out to the people of Punjab in the past. I am deeply concerned about resolving the issues of the general public on a priority basis. Serving the people is not a favour to anyone as it is my duty.'
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Health projects: Punjab introduces new monitoring system
LAHORE: In line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Department of Health and Population has introduced a robust and centralized monitoring system to ensure transparent, accountable and timely execution of health-related development projects across the province. Going forward, all health sector initiatives will be monitored and evaluated through the department's Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, which will track project implementation, assess performance, and ensure alignment with provincial health priorities. A high-level meeting, chaired by Provincial Minister for Health and Population Khawaja Imran Nazir was held at the department's headquarters. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Chairman Planning and Development Board Naeem Rauf, Secretary Health and Population Nadia Saqib, and other senior officials. To ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply at public hospitals, the meeting decided to establish 13 new oxygen feeders. This move will support 145 district and tehsil headquarters hospitals (DHQs and THQs), enabling them to receive over 44,000 oxygen cylinders per month, thus enhancing emergency and critical care capacity across Punjab. Khawaja Imran Nazir directed all vertical programs to submit detailed annual performance reports. He emphasized that as per the Chief Minister's instructions, routine and rigorous evaluations would be conducted to assess progress and impact. He reaffirmed the provincial leadership's commitment to healthcare reform, stating: 'Providing quality healthcare at the doorstep of every citizen is Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's foremost priority.' The minister also highlighted that the revamping of more than 4,000 health facilities is underway and progressing at a steady pace. Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman stressed the importance of effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure timely completion and quality delivery of health projects. He reiterated that reform efforts in the healthcare system are ongoing and that the Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate would be further strengthened for improved oversight. He also issued directives for the verification of household registration data under the Community Health Inspector Program, calling for greater data integrity and on-ground accountability. The meeting reviewed progress on several flagship initiatives, including Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics, Community Health Inspector Program, establishment of blood centers in Lahore, Okara, Muzaffargarh, and Jhelum and setting up of Cath labs in Attock, Jhang, Jhelum, Layyah, Mianwali, Kasur, Vehari, and Bahawalnagar. The officials briefed that the Community Health Inspector Program is being implemented in two phases, with the geo-tagging of over 530,000 households already completed in the first phase. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business Recorder
Hepatitis a silent killer: CM Maryam
LAHORE: 'Hepatitis is a silent killer,' said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif in her message on World Hepatitis Day. She added, 'Hepatitis gradually affects liver and can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated on time.' She highlighted, 'The provision of hepatitis vaccines is being ensured.' Madam Chief Minister said, 'Free hepatitis testing facilities are also available in field hospitals and clinics-on-wheels.' She added, 'Free medicines are being delivered to homes of hepatitis patients.' She highlighted, 'With caution and treatment, complete prevention of hepatitis is possible.' Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, 'Awareness is being raised among public through awareness campaign about hepatitis.' She added, 'A healthy Punjab is a developed Punjab.' She underscored, 'Public must get tested for hepatitis, get vaccinated, and spread the message to others.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Screening shows alarming HEP spread
Punjab is grappling with a staggering hepatitis crisis as alarming new data reveals that nearly half of certain risk groups may be infected with hepatitis C. Large-scale screenings conducted in healthcare facilities, including the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute, have found a 42.7 per cent prevalence of hepatitis C and 8.4% of hepatitis B among those tested. These figures, gathered from over 141,000 people, present a dire challenge to the province's public health system. Given the province's estimated population of 125 million, experts warn that the data points to more than 50 million people potentially living with hepatitis C and over 10.5 million with hepatitis B. The prevalence rates in Punjab exceed national averages. As the world marks World Hepatitis Day 2025 under the theme "Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down", Punjab's health officials and experts emphasised the urgency of combating the silent epidemic through widespread awareness, prevention, and treatment initiatives. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif stated in her message on World Hepatitis Day, "The provision of hepatitis vaccines is being ensured. Free hepatitis testing facilities are also available in field hospitals and clinics on wheels. Free medicines are being delivered to homes of hepatitis patients." She highlighted, "With caution and treatment, complete prevention of hepatitis is possible." The chief minister urged the people to get tested for hepatitis, get vaccinated, and spread the message to others. Pakistan ranks among the top five countries with the highest hepatitis burden. Nationwide, it is estimated that there are nearly 10 million hepatitis C patients and around four million of hepatitis B, with related complications causing over 20,000 deaths annually. Globally, hepatitis is responsible for more than 1.34 million deaths each year, making it a significant contributor to the world's infectious disease mortality rates. The experts say the root causes of the hepatitis epidemic in Punjab are entrenched in unsafe medical practices. Reuse of syringes in clinics, use of unsterilised instruments in barbershops and beauty salons, unsafe blood transfusions, and unhygienic traditional practices such as cupping therapy continue to be major sources of infection. Socioeconomic disparities, lack of awareness, and limited access to safe healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, have exacerbated the spread of the viruses. Studies indicate that the 16-30 age group is more vulnerable to hepatitis B infection, while older populations carry a heavier burden of hepatitis C. Additionally, men are statistically at double the risk of contracting hepatitis B compared to women. In response to the alarming statistics, the Punjab government has implemented several targeted interventions. The measures include the mandatory use of auto-disable syringes to eliminate reuse, installation of medical waste incinerators to ensure safe disposal, and the establishment of Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment Centres (HPTCs) across the province. These centres offer free testing, vaccination, and treatment services. Mobile health units have also been deployed to reach underserved communities, providing on-site testing and awareness programmes. Over 10,000 hepatitis patients have received free treatment under these initiatives, which are aligned with the World Health Organisation's goal of eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Despite these efforts, health experts caution that Punjab's battle against hepatitis requires a sustained and expansive approach. Millions remain undiagnosed and untreated, and the province faces an uphill task in scaling up interventions to match the enormity of the crisis. The health authorities urged citizens to undergo hepatitis screening, practice safe medical habits, and break the stigma surrounding the disease. Modern antiviral therapies offer complete cures for hepatitis C, while hepatitis B can be effectively managed with proper medical care. However, without systemic reforms, community engagement, and unwavering political commitment, the province risks escalation of the epidemic. "Hepatitis is a silent killer that damages the liver and this is the reason the Punjab government is giving awareness in this regard and also focusing on availability of vaccine. The CM Punjab's programme to deliver medicines to homes is playing an important role to counter hepatitis in the province," said Punjab Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique.