Punjab govt invites foreign doctors

Visitors to perform surgeries in 12 hospitals

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a Diaspora Doctor Locum Programme (DDLP) under which overseas Pakistani and foreign specialist doctors will perform advanced surgeries and provide medical services in 12 public sector hospitals across the province.

Chairing a meeting of the Punjab Specialised Healthcare Department, the chief minister approved the launch of the programme aimed at bringing highly qualified international medical professionals to the province.

A dashboard and operational web portal will also be established for the programme.

The participants were informed that the inauguration of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, was expected on July 15, the NS Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research on July 31 and the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore on August 15.

The chief minister received detailed briefings regarding the progress on the institutes besides healthcare service delivery in the province.

Under the locum programme, experienced and reputable Pakistani and foreign specialist doctors will be engaged for short-term assignments in Punjab's government hospitals.

Overseas specialists participating in the programme will be allowed to perform up to eight advanced surgical procedures during their tenures.

The government has selected 12 hospitals for the programme.

Overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals possessing specialist qualifications will be eligible to participate in the programme. Eligibility criteria include postgraduate qualifications, at least three years of overseas fellowship experience and a valid fitness certificate.

Participating doctors will be required to serve in Punjab for a minimum period of 15 days. The programme's online portal will facilitate registration, credential verification, commitments, appointment procedures, payment mechanisms and reporting systems.

The chief minister was also shown the DDLP dashboard, which is expected to become operational shortly.

She directed authorities to establish a comprehensive web portal to ensure transparency and efficiency in the initiative.

Foreign specialists participating in the programme will also train local healthcare professionals.

The chief minister also ordered the launch of a similar initiative for the nursing sector.

"Bringing the best human resource to Punjab is my mission," she said, adding that foreign specialist doctors and nurses would be offered attractive packages.

She stressed that hospital directors must be highly efficient and proactive, observing that quality nursing care could transform healthcare outcomes.

The chief minister said highly trained doctors and nurses would be welcomed at the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital.

During the briefing, it was informed that free treatment had been provided to 22 million patients across Punjab. Under the CM Children's Heart Surgery Programme, 13,550 free surgeries have been completed.

Officials said medicines had been delivered free of charge to 728,000 patients at their doorsteps.

The chief minister approved a plan to inaugurate the institute of cardiology in Sargodha on July 15. A documentary on the institute was presented. The chief minister praised the construction quality of the institute, remarking that it resembled a major hospital in Saudi Arabia.

She was informed that 'Packages A and B' of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research would be completed by July 31. It was agreed that the hospital would be inaugurated on the day, while the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology would be inaugurated on August 15.