Punjab to establish modern cancer centres in four more cities

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has decided to expand advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment facilities to four more cities across the province.

The health secretary has been directed to establish modern cancer centres in Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Sargodha and Rawalpindi.

According to the directives, the new cancer centres will be required to include PET scan facilities to ensure access to advanced diagnostic services.

Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood said modern cancer diagnosis and treatment facilities would be extended to more cities across the province.

He added that work on the feasibility studies, planning and administrative arrangements for the new cancer centres would be expedited.

Read more: Cancer patients to get Rs1million for treatment in Punjab

Earlier in August, the Punjab government further expanded access to advanced cancer treatment with the purchase of five new cryoablation machines for installation at major hospitals across the province.

The machines, acquired on the directions of the Chief Minister, were dispatched to various hospitals for installation. Two machines would be installed at the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer in Lahore, while Nishtar Hospital, Allied Hospital and Benazir Bhutto Hospital would receive one machine each.

Punjab introduced its first cryoablation machine at Mayo Hospital in 2025. Since then, more than 70 patients suffering from Stage 1 cancer have received successful and free treatment through the facility.

Officials said the addition of the new machines would extend advanced cancer treatment facilities to other cities across Punjab, enabling patients to gain more timely and effective access to specialized care.

Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood said the adoption of modern medical technology would help strengthen the province’s healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialized treatment.