Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has made a key decision to outsource rural health centres (RHCs) across the province.

The decision was made during a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, where several important health sector decisions were taken.

The meeting also saw the approval of activating the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital within the prescribed timeframe, alongside the nomination of the Board of Governors for the facility.

Other significant decisions made during the meeting included establishing burn units, cardiac centres, and children’s wards at the district level.

A briefing during the meeting highlighted plans to provide large hospitals’ medical and diagnostic services at basic health centres, which will also serve as primary referral centres for patients.

These centres will offer general surgery, gynaecology, diagnostics, medical tests, and other facilities.

Additionally, the proposal to establish medical cities at the divisional level to treat various diseases was discussed.

The briefing also revealed that 225 rural health centres have been revamped and transformed into state-of-the-art clinics, which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, after outsourcing.

The health centres, managed by young doctors, have already seen a threefold increase in patient numbers.

Further decisions taken included the activation of Jinnah Hospital PIC 2 in Lahore by 30th September and the construction and expansion of access roads to the Muree Assembly General Hospital.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also ordered that the OPD services at the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Sargodha be made functional by June.