Punjab launches free body transport service from govt hospitals

ISLAMABAD: Punjab has launched an official government-run service for transporting deceased persons, with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurating the initiative on Monday.

According to a handout issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, the service is the first of its kind introduced by any province in Pakistan. In the initial phase, it will operate in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, where bodies will be transported free of charge from government hospitals to the homes of the deceased.

The handout said the service is expected to be expanded gradually to every tehsil in Punjab by June. Under the programme, each tehsil will be provided dedicated ambulances under the Deceased Care Service to ensure timely transportation of bodies.

During the launch ceremony, Maryam handed over keys for the vehicles allocated to Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan, inspected the fleet and met rescue personnel.

The chief minister directed staff to perform their duties with compassion and sincerity, saying support for grieving families was both a humanitarian responsibility and a public service. She also instructed personnel to offer counselling and emotional support to bereaved families in cases of patient deaths.

Referring to existing difficulties faced by families, Maryam said it was unfortunate that private transporters often demanded high fares at such times. She strictly instructed rescue workers not to accept any money, even if families offered it voluntarily.

Initial rollout in three cities

Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique described the initiative as commendable and said it was intended to help citizens feel supported during moments of grief. He said the service would initially remain limited to city areas in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan.

He added that in the second phase, private ambulances would also be involved for other cities.

How the service will work

Director General Rescue Services Dr Rizwan Naseer, during a detailed briefing, said the service could be accessed through 1122. He said trained drivers in uniform would remain available around the clock at government hospitals, where dedicated desks would also be set up.

He said the service would also help transfer bodies to hospital morgues when needed. According to the briefing, operations will be monitored through a smart rescue management and dispatch system aimed at ensuring efficiency and transparency.

The Punjab government says the initiative is designed to provide timely assistance to families dealing with the death of a loved one while removing the financial burden of transport from public hospitals in the first phase of the programme.