Punjab has launched the most comprehensive transplant programme in the country’s history, offering five free transplant operations to eligible citizens.

Under the new Chief Minister Transplant Programme, the state will provide free liver, kidney, bone marrow, and cornea transplants, as well as cochlear implants for children born with congenital hearing loss, Express News reported.

Beneficiaries must register with the Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority in order to access these services.

The scheme is designed to cover transplant procedures carried out in both public and private hospitals. In addition, a toll-free number (09009 0800) has been activated at the directive of the Chief Minister to facilitate registrations and provide further information.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, “The state is fully aware of every citizen’s needs, and we will fulfil our duty. Transplantation is a highly complex and expensive process that the common man cannot afford – now it is the state’s responsibility to provide this essential service.”

The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on ordinary citizens who require life-saving transplant surgeries. By offering these procedures at no cost, the government hopes to improve access to critical healthcare and enhance the overall well-being of the population.

The launch of this programme marks a significant step forward in Punjab’s healthcare reforms, as the state strives to ensure that high-cost medical treatments are accessible to all segments of society without financial hardship.

Moreover, on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif the government has also decided to introduce a modern system of dairy farming, milk and cheese production, and global-standard distribution in Punjab based on the Italian model.

A delegation of Italian investors specialising in the dairy sector met with Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Orangzeb and Livestock Minister Ashiq Hussain.

In the first phase of the project, a pilot scheme involving 1,000 buffaloes will be launched in Pakpattan, Muzaffargarh, and Jhang.

Joint efforts will focus on breeding high-quality buffaloes, increasing milk production, and improving packaging and export quality. Modern machinery – including systems for cooling and preserving milk – will also be introduced in the dairy sector. A comprehensive dairy policy is expected to be finalised soon.

Livestock Minister Ashiq Hussain briefed the Italian delegation on the Chief Minister’s projects. He noted that Italy is considered one of the leading countries in the world in the fields of agriculture and dairy products.