Punjab govt launches Rs2b revamp project for Jinnah Hospital: Minister Salman

Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique on Friday said that the Punjab government’s Rs2 billion project for revamping Jinnah Hospital Lahore included comprehensive upgradation and new construction of key healthcare facilities, including a new emergency block, blood bank, Surgical Unit-II, ICU and other essential departments

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2026) Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique on Friday said that the Punjab government’s Rs2 billion project for revamping Jinnah Hospital Lahore included comprehensive upgradation and new construction of key healthcare facilities, including a new emergency block, blood bank, Surgical Unit-II, ICU and other essential departments.

He expressed these views while addressing the 24th convocation of Allama Iqbal Medical College as chief guest on Friday. Khawaja Salman Rafique said that Jinnah Hospital Lahore had achieved a major milestone after receiving a “regular license” from the Punjab Healthcare Commission by securing 100 percent marks in the inspection criteria. He credited the achievement to the principal, faculty members, nurses and paramedical staff.

The provincial health minister said that the Punjab government had launched several major healthcare initiatives including the Chief Minister’s Children Heart Surgery Program, kidney and liver transplant programs, bone marrow transplant, cochlear implant, cornea transplant, adult heart surgery, cancer treatment and stroke management program. He added that neurology services for adults and children were also being introduced in districts in phases, while free dialysis treatment arrangements had been ensured in government and private hospitals across Punjab.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that new children’s hospitals were being established in all divisional headquarters, while cardiology facilities were already functional in different areas and new institutions had recently been inaugurated in Sargodha and Lahore. He further said that burn units were also being established in divisional headquarters as well as Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

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Addressing the graduating students, he said the convocation was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also of values such as hard work, patience and service to humanity. He urged the graduates to uphold the trust of patients and serve humanity with dedication and professionalism.

Former Health Minister Professor Dr. Javed Akram said that Allama Iqbal Medical College was a guardian of great traditions and doctors had a unique opportunity to earn prayers through the treatment of suffering humanity. He remarked that no one could become a good doctor without first becoming a good human being.

Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College Professor Dr. Tayyaba Waseem said that the institution had been granted a regular license by the Punjab Healthcare Commission. She added that the HIMS system would soon be activated in Jinnah Hospital Lahore, while a digital library had also been established and biometric attendance of students was being ensured.

During the ceremony, gold and silver medals along with MBBS degrees were awarded to best graduate Dr. Hadiya Younis and other distinguished students. The administration also presented a report highlighting the outstanding achievements of Allama Iqbal Medical College.

Among others, Pro Vice Chancellor University of Health Sciences Professor Nadia Naseem, Professor Mah Jabeen Munira, Professor Ashraf Zia, MS Jinnah Hospital Lahore Professor Hafiz Moinud Din, Professor Majeed Chaudhry, former DG Health Dr. Zahid Pervez, Dean IPH Professor Saira Afzal, Professor Shamsa Humayun, Professor Shabnam, faculty members, graduates and their parents attended the convocation.