Maryam Nawaz Approves 24 New Stroke Centers in Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has set a June 30 deadline for the establishment of 24 additional primary stroke centers across the province as part of the government’s anti-stroke initiative.

Chairing a meeting on Friday, she also approved the formation of a 12-member advisory committee for the program, to be headed by Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, with Prof Qasim Bashir serving as convener.

The meeting was informed that 15 primary stroke centers are already operational, where around 700 patients have received life-saving treatment, helping prevent long-term disability.

Stroke management facilities are currently functional at major hospitals in Lahore, including Services Hospital, Mayo Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and the Punjab Institute of Neurosciences.

Primary stroke centers are also operational in Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Narowal, Rahim Yar Khan, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Bhakkar, and Layyah.

Under Phase-I of the expansion plan, new centers will be established in Gujrat, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Vehari, Jhelum, Kasur, Mandi Bahauddin, Sheikhupura, Toba Tek Singh, and Khanewal.

In Phase-II, the program will be extended to 17 additional cities, including Chakwal, Pakpattan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Mianwali, Bahawalnagar, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Lodhran, Khushab, Okara, Attock, Nankana Sahib, Wazirabad, Murree, Kot Addu, and Talagang.

The chief minister also approved the establishment of four mechanical thrombectomy centers to provide advanced stroke treatment.

She said neurologists and neurosurgeons will be appointed at these facilities, along with specially trained medical staff to ensure immediate care for stroke patients. Each primary stroke center will also be linked with a nearby neurology facility.