The Punjab government has proposed allocating more than Rs 81 billion for 24 new health development schemes, with Rs 26.45 billion set aside for the 2026-27 financial year and the remaining funds to be released in the coming years.
The package is anchored by two flagship hospital projects. A Maryam Nawaz Institute of Cardiology is proposed for Gujranwala at a cost of Rs 14 billion, while Rs 23.37 billion has been recommended for a new Children's Hospital in Bahawalpur. Sources said a Maryam Nawaz Medical College and Teaching Hospital is also planned for Mianwali, alongside a Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan.
In Lahore, the plan recommends Rs 3.5 billion to reconstruct the AVH Block at Mayo Hospital and Rs 3 billion to rehabilitate the hospital's OPD. Bahawal Victoria Hospital in Bahawalpur is in line for a Rs 2.48 billion oncology unit, while Sargodha would get a new emergency theatre complex.
A large share of the spending targets equipment and diagnostics. The proposals include Rs 2 billion for essential equipment at tertiary care hospitals, Rs 1.75 billion for four neuro-cath labs, Rs 1.66 billion for two MRI machines in Lahore and Gujrat, and Rs 1.65 billion for new equipment at Faisalabad's cardiology emergency block.
Children's healthcare features prominently: Rs 1.27 billion is proposed to upgrade the Children's Hospital pathology department, Rs 952.7 million for a pharmacy store at Lahore Children's Hospital, and Rs 304.2 million to expand health facilities at Multan Children's Hospital.
Smaller allocations round out the package, including Rs 340 million for the neuro-ortho block at Gujrat's Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital, Rs 328 million for modern machines at the Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, Rs 300 million for a new block at De Montmorency Dentistry College Lahore, Rs 170 million for waiting areas at Rawalpindi's Holy Family and Benazir Bhutto hospitals, and Rs 70 million for emergency and gynaecology block lifts at Services Hospital Lahore. Filter clinics are also recommended for Rawalpindi hospitals.
Digital upgrades include Rs 100 million each for a health management system at the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology and an OPD system at the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology. A further Rs 500 million is proposed to clear incomplete projects and outstanding tax liabilities.
