Punjab CM Inaugurates Cath Lab at Jhelum Hospital, Sets 24-Hour Angioplasty Deadline

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated a cardiac catheterisation laboratory (Cath Lab) at the District Headquarters Hospital in Jhelum on Monday, aiming to provide advanced cardiac care closer to home. The facility is equipped with angiography, angioplasty, ECG, a modern operation theatre and ventilators, and has already treated 2,400 patients.

During her visit, the chief minister inspected the wards, semi-modular unit and operation theatre, and checked the quality and expiry dates of medicines and injections. She also observed a live angiography procedure from the control room and met patients recovering after angioplasty.

One patient, Shehzad Naveed, a Dubai-based driver, told the chief minister that he had returned to Pakistan for free cardiac treatment after developing a heart condition. He said he had initially been given an appointment in Faisalabad after a week's wait but came to Jhelum on his sister's advice, where he underwent immediate angioplasty.

Maryam Nawaz directed that patients requiring angioplasty at any hospital in Punjab should not have to wait more than 24 hours. The directive aims to ensure timely cardiac care across the province.

During the same visit, the chief minister also inaugurated the Rs1.195 billion restoration of the Gymnasium and Sports Complex and visited the home of a beneficiary of the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing scheme.