Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has inaugurated new cancer treatment and diagnostic facilities at Nishtar Hospital in Multan, bringing advanced medical services to patients in South Punjab. The newly opened facilities include a PET-CT cyclotron unit and a cryoablation centre, along with a 100-bed cancer centre equipped with several treatment and care facilities.
The development is expected to give cancer patients in Multan and nearby districts better access to specialised care without the need to travel to Lahore or other major cities for every stage of treatment. Nishtar Hospital is one of the major healthcare institutions serving a large population across southern Punjab, making the addition of modern cancer facilities an important step for the region.
New cancer facilities opened at Nishtar Hospital
Maryam Nawaz visited Nishtar Hospital on Friday and formally opened the new cancer-related facilities. During her visit, she inspected the newly installed equipment and received briefings from health officials about how the systems would be used for patients.
One of the main additions is the cryoablation centre. Officials explained that the Chinese technology uses special needles or probes to target cancerous tumours. Unlike conventional major surgery, cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure that works by using extreme cold to destroy selected cancer tissue.
The chief minister personally examined the machine and reviewed the treatment process. The facility is part of a wider effort by the Punjab government to introduce newer cancer treatment technologies at government hospitals.
The cryoablation service is especially important because it adds another treatment option for selected cancer patients. The treatment is not suitable for every patient or every type of cancer, as doctors have to consider the tumour’s size, location and condition before deciding whether the procedure can be used.
PET-CT and cyclotron facility also inaugurated
Along with the cryoablation centre, Maryam Nawaz also inaugurated a PET-CT cyclotron facility at Nishtar Hospital.
During her inspection, officials briefed her about the cyclotron machine, the radiopharmaceutical production laboratory and the pharmacy hot lab. These facilities are part of the wider system needed for advanced cancer imaging and related medical services.
PET-CT is used by doctors to get detailed images and examine areas of the body where cancer may be present. This type of scanning can help doctors assess a disease, plan treatment and monitor how a patient is responding to therapy.
The availability of such services in Multan can be useful for patients who previously had to travel to other cities for specialised diagnostic procedures. For many families, long-distance travel adds extra costs and creates practical problems, especially when a patient needs repeated visits.
The new facility therefore adds not only equipment but also more local access to specialised cancer care.
100-bed cancer centre inspected
During her visit, the Punjab chief minister also inspected the 100-bed cancer centre at Nishtar Hospital.
The centre includes an outpatient department, intensive care unit, chemotherapy rooms and radiotherapy rooms. It also has a digital and CT simulator room as well as a focused radiotherapy linear accelerator room.
These facilities allow different parts of cancer care to be provided within the same hospital setup. Cancer treatment can require several stages, including diagnosis, imaging, medical review, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and close monitoring. Bringing many of these services together can make treatment more organised for patients and their families.
The cancer centre is aimed at serving people from Multan as well as other parts of South Punjab. Since Nishtar Hospital already receives patients from a wide area, the expansion of cancer services could increase the number of people able to receive specialist treatment closer to home.
First patient receives cryoablation treatment
One of the key moments during Maryam Nawaz’s visit was her meeting with the first patient from Kamalia who received cancer treatment using the cryoablation machine.
The patient was identified as 55-year-old Musarrat Arshad. According to reports, she became emotional while talking about her treatment and recovery. The chief minister met her, consoled her and congratulated her after hearing about her experience.
The patient’s case was highlighted during the inauguration because it showed that the newly installed technology had already been used in clinical treatment.
Maryam Nawaz also met another patient, 24-year-old Nasreen from Mian Channu, and asked about her health. She also spoke with Nasreen’s mother and expressed hope that the young patient would recover.
Such meetings also drew attention to the emotional side of cancer treatment. For patients and families, access to treatment is not only about machines and hospitals. They also need support, clear guidance and confidence that they can continue receiving care.
Children’s cancer ward established
Officials also informed the chief minister that a separate ward for children had been established at the Multan Cancer Centre.
Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities to make the children’s ward fully functional as soon as possible.
A dedicated space for young cancer patients can help hospitals organise care according to children’s needs. Children often require special attention during diagnosis and treatment, and a separate ward can provide a more suitable environment for them and their families.
The direction to make the ward operational at the earliest also shows that the focus is not limited to inauguration ceremonies. The actual benefit of the facility will depend on trained staff, working equipment, medicines and regular patient services.
More treatment options for cancer patients
The opening of the cryoablation centre adds a newer form of treatment to the public healthcare system in Multan.
Cryoablation is a procedure in which extremely cold temperatures are used to damage and destroy targeted abnormal tissue. Doctors use imaging and specialised equipment to guide the treatment to the affected area. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, it can be considered for certain patients who are suitable for this type of treatment.
However, the treatment does not replace all other cancer therapies. Depending on the disease, doctors may still recommend surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of different treatments.
The main importance of the new service is that it expands the range of options available within a government hospital.
Punjab had earlier introduced the same type of technology at Mayo Hospital in Lahore. The provincial government later moved to expand the system to other major hospitals, including Nishtar Hospital in Multan.
Technology brought from China
The cryoablation technology installed at Nishtar Hospital was brought from China.
Punjab had previously introduced the technology at Mayo Hospital after Maryam Nawaz’s visit to China, where she observed advanced cancer treatment equipment. The provincial government subsequently worked on expanding access to the technology in other major hospitals.
The move is part of a broader push to bring modern medical equipment into Punjab’s public hospitals.
The availability of advanced technology, however, also requires trained doctors, technicians and support staff. Earlier reporting on the programme said medical professionals had received specialised training related to the equipment, while further expansion was planned for hospitals in other parts of Punjab.
Relief for patients in South Punjab
For cancer patients living in Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khanewal, Vehari, Muzaffargarh and nearby areas, access to major treatment services has often involved travel to large urban centres.
Cancer treatment can require many appointments over weeks or months. Repeated travelling can create financial pressure for families, particularly when patients need someone to accompany them.
With more advanced services available at Nishtar Hospital, patients in South Punjab may have a greater opportunity to receive diagnosis and treatment closer to their homes.
The opening of the PET-CT cyclotron unit is also important because advanced cancer care depends on proper diagnosis and treatment planning. The addition of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, intensive care and other facilities under the same cancer centre gives Nishtar Hospital a broader range of services.
Government focus on modern healthcare
The inauguration reflects the Punjab government’s wider focus on upgrading public hospitals and introducing modern healthcare technology.
The new facilities combine diagnosis, treatment and supporting services under one setup. Along with the 100-bed cancer centre, the cryoablation unit, PET-CT system and cyclotron-related services are designed to strengthen specialised cancer care in the region.
The success of the project will depend on how effectively these facilities continue to operate after the inauguration. Regular maintenance of expensive machines, availability of trained staff and timely access to medicines and treatment will remain important for patients.
For the people of Multan and surrounding districts, the opening is nevertheless a major addition to the area’s healthcare network.
A new chapter for cancer care in Multan
Maryam Nawaz’s visit to Nishtar Hospital has brought attention to the growing role of modern technology in cancer treatment in Punjab.
The new cryoablation centre gives suitable patients access to a minimally invasive treatment method, while the PET-CT cyclotron facility strengthens advanced cancer diagnosis and related services. The 100-bed cancer centre, meanwhile, brings together outpatient care, intensive care, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatment facilities.
The establishment of a children’s cancer ward adds another important part of the project, with instructions issued to make it functional without delay.
For South Punjab, the expansion means that more specialised cancer services are now available in Multan itself. As the facilities become fully operational and medical teams continue to use the new equipment, patients will have greater access to modern cancer care within the public healthcare system.
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