Chinese cancer therapy reaches Multan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated a Chinese cryoablation centre for cancer treatment at Nishtar Hospital.
She visited the cryoablation centre and examined the newly installed machine. Officials informed her that the technology could destroy cancerous tumours using needles, offering a minimally invasive treatment option.
The chief minister also inaugurated a PET-CT cyclotron centre and reviewed the machine's procedure, as well as a radiopharmaceutical production laboratory and pharmacy hot lab.
She inspected the 100-bed cancer centre, including its OPD, ICU, chemotherapy and radiotherapy rooms, digital and CT simulator room and focused radiotherapy linear accelerator room.
The chief minister met the first patient, from Kamalia, to receive cancer treatment through the cryoablation machine.
Speaking to the mother of a patient, the chief minister said, "I have brought the cryoablation machine from China for cancer treatment. There is no need to worry now."
Officials said a ward for children had also been established at the Multan Cancer Centre. The chief minister directed authorities to make the ward fully functional at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Healthcare Commission marked the World Patient Safety Day by urging a prevention-first, people-centred and safety-focused approach to help contain a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Participants of a webinar stressed the need to protect patients from avoidable harm through timely screening, early diagnosis, safe medication, coordinated treatment, continuity of care and informed patient participation.
PHC Commissioner Professor Nauman Tarif said prevention must be prioritised,although the country had moved away from the concept.
He said resource allocation was under strain due to population growth, while environmental factors were adversely affecting people's health.
He stressed the need to take symptoms seriously and urged physicians to demonstrate empathy towards patients.
PHC Chief Executive Officer Dr Muhammad Saqib Aziz highlighted the need for a stronger regulatory and quality-of-care response to the growing NCD burden.
He said patient safety risks could emerge at every stage of care, from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also inaugurated the Pakistan International Auto Show 2026 at the Expo Centre in Lahore.
She said during an informal meeting with industrialists that the Punjab government was committed to promoting local production, investment, technology and innovation.
The CM visited various stalls, inspected electric vehicles and showed interest in an ambulance. She also interacted with foreign experts.
According to an official statement, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz appreciated the quality of products made in Pakistan.
A total of 150 exhibitors, including 44 international firms, are participating in the show.
Terrorist attack
Chief Minister Maryam Nawas condemned a suicide attack at the Kohat Police Lines.
She also paid tribute to security forces for killing 10 militants in Hangu and North Waziristan.
The chief minister paid homage to the security personnel martyred while fighting militants in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.