Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered several measures to strengthen healthcare services across the province. Central to the plan is a Punjab doctors recruitment drive targeting 40,000 doctors and allied health professionals. The government has already recruited 2,524 doctors, 2,482 women medical officers, 408 consultants and 32 cardiologists.

Additionally, hospitals have received 7,572 lady health visitors and 5,048 support staff. Maryam also ordered a new CT scan machine for every district. Furthermore, she directed officials to establish telemedicine centers for seasonal and common diseases.

These centers will let patients consult doctors through video calls. They can also arrange appointments with relevant wards, laboratories or other facilities when needed. Meanwhile, the government will transform 300 Maryam Nawaz Hospitals, formerly Rural Health Centres, into fully fledged hospitals.

Maryam also announced a new monthly “Hospital of the Month” award. Hospitals that demonstrate outstanding performance will qualify for this recognition. The meeting also introduced digital medical boxes for Clinics on Wheels. These boxes will allow medical teams to conduct ultrasound, blood sugar, CBC and ECG tests through one system.

The government will additionally introduce mobile-linked smart ultrasound devices and cameras for teleconferencing. Still, some hospitals have not met expectations under the current leadership. Therefore, Maryam ordered the immediate replacement of medical superintendents at four hospitals over poor performance and negligence.

Finally, she ordered better cleanliness and parking facilities at district and tehsil headquarters hospitals. Officials say these combined measures represent one of the province’s most ambitious healthcare pushes in recent years. The full effects of the Punjab doctors recruitment drive and related reforms are expected to unfold over the coming months.