Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the establishment of the Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan — a landmark decision that aims to bring modern cancer treatment closer to thousands of patients living in remote and underserved areas of southern Punjab.
The proposed hospital will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 15.21 billion and will offer a comprehensive range of advanced oncology services, including diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and specialised care for cancer patients. The facility is being designed to significantly ease the burden on major hospitals in Lahore and other large cities, where patients from southern Punjab currently have to travel long distances for treatment — often at great financial and personal cost to themselves and their families.
Officials confirmed that the hospital project is likely to be included in the upcoming provincial budget, with construction and development work expected to run between 2026 and 2029. Once completed, the hospital is expected to become one of the most important healthcare institutions in the entire region, giving people in southern Punjab access to world-class medical services without having to leave their homes.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique welcomed the decision, describing it as a clear reflection of the provincial government’s commitment to expanding specialised healthcare infrastructure across Punjab. He emphasized that improving access to quality medical treatment — particularly in less developed and neglected regions of the province — remains a top priority under the government’s ongoing healthcare reform agenda.
For the people of Dera Ghazi Khan and the surrounding areas, the Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital represents far more than just a building — it represents hope, dignity and the promise of a better future for those facing one of life’s most difficult battles. ✅
