CM Maryam launches Diaspora Doctor Programme to bring global specialists to Punjab hospitals

• Overseas Pakistani, foreign doctors to perform advanced surgeries in 12 public hospitals

• Dedicated web portal, digital dashboard approved for transparent implementation

• Foreign specialists to train local doctors under short-term assignments

• Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Institute Sargodha set for inauguration on July 15 and CTRI to open on July 31

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday approved the launch of the Diaspora Doctor Locum Programme (DDLP), a major healthcare initiative 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 special meeting of the Specialised Healthcare Department, the chief minister approved the programme aimed at bringing highly qualified international medical professionals to Punjab’s healthcare system. She also directed the establishment of a dedicated dashboard and operational web portal to facilitate the initiative and ensure transparency.

وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب @MaryamNSharif کی زیر صدارت سپیشلائزڈ ہیلتھ کیئر ڈیپارٹمنٹ کا اہم اجلاس!

نواز شریف انسٹی ٹیوٹ آف کارڈیالوجی سرگودھا کا 15 جولائی، نواز شریف انسٹی ٹیوٹ آف کینسر ٹریٹمنٹ اینڈ ریسرچ کا 31 جولائی اور جناح انسٹی ٹیوٹ آف کارڈیالوجی لاہور کا 15 اگست کو افتتاح متوقع ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/dB0gbQtvNa

— Zonia Zia (@ZoniaZia02) June 25, 2026

The meeting was informed that the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, is expected to be inaugurated on July 15, the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Treatment and Research Institute (CTRI) on July 31, while the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, is likely to be inaugurated on August 15.

The chief minister was given detailed briefings on the progress of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research, and the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, as well as on healthcare service delivery across the province.

Under the Diaspora Doctor Locum Programme, experienced and reputable Pakistani and foreign specialist doctors will be engaged for short-term assignments in Punjab’s public hospitals. Overseas specialists participating in the programme will be permitted to perform up to eight advanced surgical procedures during their tenure.

Twelve public hospitals have been selected for the implementation of the programme.

Overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals possessing specialist qualifications will be eligible to participate. The 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 presented with the DDLP dashboard, which is expected to become operational shortly. She directed the authorities to establish a comprehensive web portal to ensure the programme is managed efficiently and transparently.

Foreign specialists participating in the programme will also train local healthcare professionals. The chief minister further directed the launch of a similar initiative for the nursing sector to strengthen healthcare capacity and professional development.

“Bringing the best human resources to Punjab is my mission,” Maryam Nawaz Sharif 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 can significantly improve healthcare outcomes.

The chief minister said highly trained doctors and nurses would be welcomed at the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research.

During the briefing, officials informed the meeting that free treatment had been provided to 22 million patients across Punjab. Under the CM Children’s Heart Surgery Programme, 13,550 free heart surgeries for children had been completed.

The meeting was further informed that free medicines had been delivered to 728,000 patients at their doorsteps under various public health initiatives.

Officials said the capital works of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, had been completed, following which the chief minister approved its inauguration on July 15. A short documentary on the institute was also presented during the meeting.

Maryam Nawaz appreciated the efforts of the Specialised Healthcare Department and the Infrastructure Development Authority Punjab (IDAP) teams for completing the project and praised the quality of construction.

She remarked that the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha, resembled a major hospital in Saudi Arabia.

The meeting 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 cancer hospital would be inaugurated on July 31, 2026, while the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, would be inaugurated on August 15.

Officials further informed the chief minister that recruitment at the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, is expected to be completed by July 10.