Muhammad Saleem

Every time a heart patient from a remote district travels to Lahore for treatment, two people lose a day’s work — the patient and their attendant. Multiply that across thousands of cases, and the economic toll on Pakistan’s ailing population becomes clear.

To address this growing burden, the Punjab government has launched an ambitious initiative to establish modern catheterisation laboratories (Cath labs) in smaller districts, aiming to bring advanced heart care closer to home and ease both medical and financial strain on citizens. Officials told Wealth Pakistan that the project will not only improve access to cardiac services but also stimulate local economies by creating jobs and reducing costly intercity travel for treatment.

Dr. Muhammad Irfan, a medicine specialist, said that rising inflation has already forced many patients to compromise on essential healthcare. “People are facing multiple issues and some have even stopped taking their medicines,” he observed. “Heart-related ailments are on the rise globally, and establishing Cath labs across Punjab will significantly reduce patients’ travel expenses.”

He noted that a single-day round trip from Jhang to Lahore for heart check-ups can cost between Rs5,000 and Rs10,000, a prohibitive sum for most families. “Setting up Cath labs in different districts is a positive initiative — it will generate jobs, lower travel and treatment costs, and bring relief to thousands,” he added.

Dr. Irfan said the move will also help ease the heavy patient load on major hospitals in Lahore. In the first phase, work has begun on new Cath labs in Kasur, Jhelum, Layyah, Vehari, Attock, Mianwali, Jhang, and Bahawalnagar, which are expected to become operational by the end of this year.

A senior government official told Wealth Pakistan that the second phase will include another eight districts — Rajanpur, Sheikhupura, Khanewal, Bhakkar, Toba Tek Singh, Mandi Bahauddin, Chakwal, and Hafizabad. “With these facilities, the government aims to ensure quick, quality treatment for heart patients at their doorstep,” he said. “People will no longer need to travel to major cities like Lahore or Islamabad to receive modern cardiac care.”

He added that the government plans to deploy highly qualified cardiologists — including specialists with FCPS, MD, and American Board of Cardiology certifications — at district headquarters hospitals to ensure high-quality interventional treatment. Dr. Irfan said that leveraging technology to expand healthcare access in rural and smaller districts is vital. “This initiative will be a blessing for all communities where these labs are established,” he remarked.

Ali Raza, a teacher at Government College University, Lahore, said that an ailing population is a drag on both local productivity and the national economy. “After developing heart disease, a patient often needs a family member to accompany them to Lahore,” he explained. “That means on every travel day, both the patient and the attendant lose working hours or business income.”

He said the new labs will not only improve healthcare access but also create employment for medical professionals, support staff, and local pharmaceutical suppliers. “By reducing the need to travel to major cities, families can stay economically active while still accessing life-saving treatment,” he added.

Credit: INP-WealthPk