CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif Launches Major Health Reforms, Orders New Medicine List and Strict Oversight in Punjab Hospitals

Independent Report
Lahore, Jan 9: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has initiated sweeping reforms in the public healthcare sector, ordering the preparation of a revised medicines list for government hospitals and directing authorities to ensure an uninterrupted and transparent supply of essential drugs across the province.
Chairing a high-level meeting on health sector projects, the chief minister ordered the formation of a dedicated committee to finalise the updated medicines list, stressing that despite an annual allocation of Rs80 billion for medicines, any shortage at public hospitals is “absolutely unacceptable.” She warned that denial of medicines to patients amounts to criminal negligence.
Demonstrating a results-oriented governance approach, CM Maryam Nawaz also reviewed proposals to modernise public hospitals, including the introduction of advanced Chinese-manufactured medical equipment to upgrade diagnostic and treatment facilities.
Taking serious notice of public complaints regarding hospital conduct, she approved, in principle, the installation of body cameras for security staff, ward boys, nurses, and pharmacy personnel to improve accountability and patient safety. She further directed hospital administrations to ensure daily steam cleaning of facilities before 9:00 a.m.
To restore discipline and professionalism, the chief minister imposed a strict ban on mobile phone use by doctors and nurses during duty hours, underlining that patient care must remain the top priority.
In a landmark move to strengthen hospital governance, CM Maryam Nawaz approved the creation of a Medical Superintendent (MS) pool, linking salaries and incentives directly to performance. Community health inspectors were tasked with conducting regular hospital surveys to monitor service delivery and patient satisfaction.
The chief minister also ordered the establishment of a Health Data Analysis Centre to assess the effectiveness of public welfare initiatives, reflecting her emphasis on evidence-based policymaking.
Officials briefed the meeting that more than 2,500 doctors have been recruited over the past two years, while 585,000 patients have been registered for home delivery of cardiac medicines. Doorstep delivery has already been completed for 6,000 hepatitis and tuberculosis patients.
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif reaffirmed her zero-tolerance policy towards inefficiency, corruption, and negligence, declaring that wastage of public funds and citizens’ time will no longer be tolerated. She said improving healthcare services remains a core priority of her government and vowed continued monitoring to ensure tangible relief for the public.