Maryam Nawaz Orders Referral System, Medical City in Punjab
The establishment of a Medical City in Lahore and the implementation of a referral system are expected to significantly enhance the healthcare infrastructure in Punjab, while the registration of workers and payment of minimum wage will help protect the rights of laborers in the province.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has initiated a series of healthcare reforms, including the implementation of a state-of-the-art referral system across all government hospitals in Punjab, aiming to streamline patient flow and reduce the burden on tertiary and specialized hospitals.
The referral system is part of a comprehensive plan to improve healthcare services in the province. Additionally, a world-class Medical City will be established in Lahore, inspired by international models, and will feature premier private hospitals. The city will be developed with the assistance of a professional consultant, and a Medical City Authority will be created to oversee its operations. Similar Medical Cities will be established in each divisional headquarters, ensuring that advanced medical facilities are accessible to people across the province.
Furthermore, the government will develop advanced medical facilities at the district level and launch a helpline to address public concerns. In a separate initiative, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the authorities to ensure the registration of workers in shops, workshops, and small enterprises in Punjab, as well as the payment of minimum wage to these workers. She has also ordered a crackdown on establishments that fail to implement the minimum wage decision and directed the improvement of working conditions for labor in industrial units.
A video clip circulating on social media claimed that Maryam Nawaz Sharif admitted to her government collapsing, but this claim has been debunked as false. The video was taken from a speech she gave on February 19, where she criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for its role in the May 9 riots and blamed them for long-term damage to the country. In the full speech, Sharif stated that the system being referred to was that of the PTI, not her own government.
The initiatives announced by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif demonstrate her commitment to improving healthcare services and protecting the rights of workers in Punjab. As the province moves forward with these reforms, it is likely that the quality of life for its residents will improve significantly.