Punjab Launches Health and Safety Program for Special Children

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced a sweeping set of initiatives to improve healthcare, safety, and digital empowerment for special children throughout the province.

The government will launch Punjab’s first comprehensive health screening program for students in special education centers. More than 35,600 children will undergo health assessments, including eye and dental checkups, as well as screenings for other diseases.

Over 20,000 students will receive immediate medical treatment, while 9,000 will be referred to health centers, tehsil headquarters, and district hospitals for further care. An additional 5,000 students in major cities will receive specialized treatment at advanced hospitals.

Officials also reported that a recent door-to-door admission campaign for special children led to more than 5,000 new enrollments across Punjab.

To promote digital skills, the CM Punjab Freelancer Program has introduced courses in design, YouTube content creation, social media, and e-commerce at special education centers.

Ten new computer labs have been approved, and eight existing labs will be upgraded with modern equipment. So far, 18 master trainers and 1,760 students have completed their training, and the top 50 students will receive laptops for outstanding performance.

For student safety, the government has approved the installation of 4,381 CCTV cameras in special education centers. In the first phase, 989 cameras will be installed in 142 centers across Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, and DG Khan divisions. The second phase will cover 158 centers in Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Sahiwal divisions by May next year.

All surveillance cameras will be linked to a central monitoring room in Lahore for real-time oversight. The footage will not only help protect students but will also be analyzed to study student behavior for therapeutic improvements. Officials confirmed that 3,450 cameras will be fully operational by November 2025, ensuring the safety and well-being of special students across Punjab.