FAISALABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 1st Sep, 2026) Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that the Punjab government’s special initiatives for cardiac patients have significantly expanded access to timely treatment and all pending heart surgeries at the Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology (FIC) were completed since 2025 and no waiting list currently remained for cardiac surgeries at this institute.
During his visit to the FIC, he reviewed implementation of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz’s free medicines program and inspected arrangements being made to provide essential medicines to patients.
The minister also conducted a detailed inspection of fire safety arrangements at the cardiac institute and expressed satisfaction over the availability and functioning of fire hydrants and other safety measures.
Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said that Chief Minister’s special program for cardiac diseases was progressing successfully and it had produced tangible results in reducing burden on patients requiring surgical treatment.
He said that cardiac program had led to a significant reduction in the waiting list for surgeries while the government’s free medicines initiative had so far ensured delivery of medicines free of cost to millions of patients at their doorsteps.
The health minister said that provision of free medicines to patients at public sector hospitals was among foremost priorities of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, adding that the government was taking practical measures to improve healthcare delivery and ease the financial burden on patients.
He directed hospital administrations to ensure effective fire safety arrangements at healthcare facilities, stressing that the safety of patients and medical staff must remain a top priority.
During visit, Khawaja Salman Rafique also attended a five-day training session being conducted by Rescue 1122 at FIC where medical staff was being trained to deal effectively with emergencies and respond appropriately to critical situations.
The minister said that the government’s health initiatives had also resulted in significant progress in paediatric cardiac care.
Under Chief Minister’s health initiatives, more than 1,500 children have so far undergone cardiac surgeries while heart surgeries of more than 1,200 adult patients have successfully been completed in two phases, he added.
Medical Superintendent FIC Dr Nadeem Akhtar said that all pending heart surgeries at the institute had been completed since 2025 and there was currently no waiting list for cardiac surgery.
Health initiatives of Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz were enabling cardiac patients including children and adults to receive timely and modern treatment facilities at the institute, he added.
