Punjab to Launch First Time-Based Stroke Treatment Program Across the Province

Lahore:In a major healthcare initiative, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has decided to establish stroke centers in every district of the province, marking the launch of Punjab’s first time-based stroke treatment program.

Under the program, stroke patients will be transported to hospitals within four hours of the onset of symptoms and provided immediate medical treatment, significantly reducing the risk of lifelong disability.

Modern stroke centers will be set up in all district hospitals across Punjab. Each district will have qualified neurologists and pediatric neurologists, while CT scan machines will remain available round the clock. Essential medicines, including “TPA” and advanced “TNK” injections for stroke treatment, will also be ensured at every center.

According to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Stroke and Paralysis Management Program will be implemented in phases across the province. Stroke centers will first be established in 30 district hospitals, followed by 15 more, and later extended to the remaining 24 districts. Physicians will receive specialized training to enable them to administer timely treatment and injections effectively.

The chief minister also announced a public awareness campaign to educate citizens about stroke symptoms and the importance of the four-hour “golden window” for treatment. She emphasized her vision of ensuring that no patient is forced to travel to distant cities during emergencies and that immediate treatment is available at nearby hospitals.

The initiative is being termed a landmark step in Punjab’s healthcare sector, aimed at providing advanced and timely stroke care facilities in every district of the province.