Punjab Govt to Provide Free Cancer Treatment at 33 Hospitals Across Province

 

The Punjab government has expanded its free cancer treatment programme to 33 hospitals across the province, aiming to improve access to specialized care and ease the financial burden on patients and their families.

Launched under the Chief Minister’s Special Initiative for Cancer Patients, the programme provides eligible patients with financial assistance of up to Rs.1 million annually. Depending on medical needs, the support can cover major aspects of cancer treatment, including diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and essential medicines.

Treatment Available Across Multiple Cities

The programme covers 33 designated hospitals located across different regions of Punjab. Facilities in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Sialkot, Mianwali, Lodhran and Hafizabad, among other cities, are included in the initiative.

The expansion is expected to make specialized cancer care more accessible to patients who previously had to travel to major cities for treatment. For families in smaller cities and rural areas, reducing repeated travel for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and diagnostic procedures could help lower both financial and logistical difficulties.

Annual Treatment Support of Up to Rs.1 Million

Cancer treatment can place a significant financial burden on families, particularly when patients require multiple treatment sessions, surgery, diagnostic procedures and long-term medication.

Under the provincial initiative, eligible patients can receive up to Rs.1 million in annual treatment support. The programme is designed to help ensure that financial difficulties do not prevent eligible patients from receiving necessary medical care.

Focus on Modern Cancer Treatment

Alongside financial assistance, the Punjab government is also working to strengthen cancer treatment facilities and introduce modern medical technologies.

As part of these efforts, three cryoablation machines are being introduced at Nishtar Hospital Multan, Allied Hospital Faisalabad and Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi. The technology offers a minimally invasive treatment option for certain tumours and can complement other cancer treatment approaches.

Rs.500 Billion Allocated for Health Sector

The expansion comes as Punjab increases investment in healthcare. The provincial government has allocated around Rs.500 billion for the health sector for the 2026–27 financial year, with specialized healthcare, including cancer and cardiac treatment, receiving significant attention.

The province is also developing the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore, which is planned as a dedicated centre for advanced cancer treatment and research. The institute forms part of a wider healthcare development plan in Lahore.

Bringing Cancer Care Closer to Patients

Access to specialized treatment remains a major challenge for patients living away from large urban centres. Long-distance travel for repeated appointments can add transportation, accommodation and other costs to an already expensive treatment process.

By expanding the programme to 33 hospitals, the Punjab government aims to bring covered cancer services closer to patients in different parts of the province and reduce the need for frequent travel to major cities.

Expanding Access to Affordable Cancer Care

The demand for affordable cancer treatment remains high, with many families facing substantial expenses following a diagnosis. The Punjab government’s expansion of the programme is intended to increase the availability and geographic reach of publicly supported cancer care.

By combining financial assistance with diagnostic services, medicines, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical treatment, the initiative aims to provide broader support to eligible patients throughout their treatment.

The expansion, along with investment in hospitals, medical equipment and dedicated cancer facilities, represents a wider effort to improve access to specialized healthcare across Punjab and reduce the financial pressure on families seeking cancer treatment.