Rs. 17 Billion Punjab Govt Hospital Still Not Operational Despite Inauguration

The Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore, a newly built Rs. 17 billion hospital, remains incomplete six weeks after its inauguration by the Punjab chief minister, according to recent reports. Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq stated that the institute may take an additional three weeks to become fully functional. Despite its inauguration, no angiography, angioplasty, or bypass surgeries have been conducted at the hospital, and patients are being referred to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology instead.

The 250-bed facility currently operates only outpatient and emergency services, with indoor services yet to commence. Many important positions remain unfilled, and most senior cardiologists and cardiac surgeons have not yet joined the institute, leading to delays in the start of full cardiac procedures. Health Minister Rafiq assured that efforts would be made to commence angiography at the facility from the following week, and a team of expert surgeons is being assembled to begin life-saving treatments.

The story, originally published on ProPakistani, highlights the significant challenges and delays faced by this high-profile cardiac hospital in Punjab.