CM’s Heart Surgery Programme: Over 860 kids operated upon, claims minister

LAHORE : More than 860 children have undergone successful heart surgeries since the launch of the Chief Minister’s Children’s Heart Surgery Programme.Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiqueshared this information in a meeting on Saturday.

He shared this milestone during a meeting on the programme’s referral system held at the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company on Saturday.

In the meeting, the health minister reviewed the referral system in detail.

The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and other relevant officers briefed him on the progress and ongoing efforts. Khawaja Salman Rafique directed PITB to train technical staff at private hospitals to ensure the smooth functioning of the programme.

He emphasized that coordination among departments is being strengthened to expand the programme''s scope and empanel more hospitals. The minister noted a significant reduction in the waiting list for pediatric heart surgeries, which previously caused parents to endure long delays. He highlighted that the capacity of children’s hospitals across Punjab is being enhanced to accommodate more patients. “Continuous monitoring of the programme is ensured through an online live dashboard, and the Punjab government has made the entire system highly transparent,” said Khawaja Salman.

The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Development Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Child Health Sciences Professor Masood Sadiq, DrFarqadAlamgir, and CEO of PHIMC DrAli Razaq.Executive Director of Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology Prof Musfirah Siddique and PITB’s NousheenFayyaz participated via video link.