Stage-III and IV Cancer Patients to Get Free Care at New Hospital in Lahore
Key Takeaways
- Punjab government announced free palliative care for stage-III and stage-IV cancer patients.
- The care will be provided at the newly established Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research.
- The facility will include a dedicated 100-bed palliative care block, part of a 900-bed cancer project.
- The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) approved the Rs. 74.92 billion scheme for the cancer institute.
- The palliative care block is expected to become operational in March, while part of the main institute is due by February 2026.
The Punjab government has taken a significant step by announcing free palliative care for stage-III and stage-IV cancer patients at the forthcoming Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research. This initiative is highly anticipated as it addresses the critical lack of treatment for patients suffering severe pain in the advanced stages of cancer. The provincial government has specifically included a dedicated 100-bed palliative care block within the PC-I plan for the expansive 900-bed cancer project, solidifying it as the largest government-run cancer facility in Punjab. Khwaja Salman Rafique, Punjab’s Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Minister, confirmed the inclusion of palliative care alongside outpatient services, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) recently approved the Rs. 74.92 billion scheme for the cancer institute. Part of the institute is slated for completion by February 2026, with the crucial 100-bed palliative care block expected to open in March.
