Independent report
LAHORE, Nov 11: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday inaugurated a cardiac catheterisation laboratory (Cath Lab) at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Jhelum, announcing that patients would no longer need to travel to other cities for specialised cardiac treatment.
During her visit, the chief minister inspected hospital wards, the semi-modular unit and operation theatre, and reviewed the quality and expiry dates of medicines and injections. She also witnessed a live angiography procedure from the control room and met patients recovering after angioplasty.
A Dubai-based driver, Shehzad Naveed, told the chief minister that he had returned to Pakistan to receive free cardiac treatment after developing a heart condition. He said he had initially been given an appointment in Faisalabad after a week’s wait but, on his sister’s advice, came to Jhelum, where he underwent immediate angioplasty.
Maryam Nawaz directed that patients requiring angioplasty at any hospital in Punjab should not have to wait more than 24 hours. She said the Cath Lab, equipped with angiography, angioplasty, ECG, a modern operation theatre and ventilators, had so far provided treatment to 2,400 patients.
Later, the chief minister visited Zahida Bibi at her newly constructed four-marla house in New Abadi Islam Pura, Jhelum, built through a loan provided under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar scheme. She formally inaugurated the house alongside the beneficiary and her family.
Zahida Bibi told the chief minister that her family had worked day and night to complete the house, with labourers working during the day and family members continuing the work at night. She became emotional while expressing gratitude, saying the scheme had enabled her family to own a home.
The chief minister interacted with the family and children and conveyed greetings from PML-N President Nawaz Sharif. She was also served traditional saag, potato bhujia and homemade roti, which she appreciated.
Maryam Nawaz said helping people secure homes of their own brought her immense satisfaction. Describing Apni Chhat Apna Ghar as Punjab’s largest low-cost housing project, she said its features and impact were receiving international recognition.
