Maryam approves DDLP, plans to inaugurate three new hospitals
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired an important meeting of the Specialized Healthcare Department, where detailed briefings were presented on key healthcare projects, including the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha, the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research, and the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore. The Chief Minister was also updated on healthcare service delivery and the progress of ongoing development projects across the province. Major Hospital Projects Near Completion The meeting approved the inauguration of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, on July 15. A short documentary showcasing the facility was presented during the meeting. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif praised the performance of the Specialized Healthcare Department and the Infrastructure Development Authority Punjab for their work on the project. Commending the hospital s construction quality, she remarked, The Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha looks like a major hospital in Saudi Arabia. The meeting was informed that Packages A and B of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research will be completed by July 31. The Chief Minister indicated that the cancer hospital is expected to be inaugurated on July 31, 2026. Officials also briefed the meeting that the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, will be inaugurated on August 15, while recruitment for the institution will be completed by July 10. Diaspora Doctors Locum Program Approved The meeting received a detailed briefing on the Diaspora Doctors Locum Program (DDLP), which was formally approved by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Under the initiative, overseas Pakistanis and foreign specialist doctors will be invited to provide short-term medical services in public hospitals across Punjab. The program aims to strengthen healthcare delivery by bringing highly experienced and reputable specialists to the province. The Chief Minister also approve