Maryam Nawaz Launches Chief Minister Dialysis Program Card
Last updated on January 1st, 2025 at 10:52 am
On 2025, Punjab Cm Maryam Nawaz Sharif scheme launched the Dialysis Program Card, an innovative new program for kidney patients throughout the province, which will give them both financial assistance and free medical care. This is part of her promise to augment healthcare services in the province, especially for those afflicted with chronic kidney diseases. This CM Dialysis Program Card will be issued to meet major healthcare expenses related to dialysis so that the patients get the best possible treatment without the pressure of financial constraints.
Overview of the Project
Patient under the CM Dialysis Program Card, each patient would be eligible for PKR 10 million in treatment expenses involving: PKR 850,000 entirely for dialysis sessions. PKR 150,000 was assigned for tests and other medical procedures. This program is to relieve the patient and the family from financial burden, and hence it is made accessible to them to acquire critical health care services. Also, the treatment of the patients ensures free medicines and tests for blood filtration patients so that no stone remains unturned in helping the patients.
سی ایم ڈائیلاسز پروگرام کارڈ کے تحت مستحق مریضوں کو علاج کے اخراجات کے لیے 10 ملین روپے تک فراہم کیے جاتے ہیں۔ اس میں 850,000 روپے ڈائیلاسز سیشنز کے لیے اور 150,000 روپے ٹیسٹ اور دیگر میڈیکل پروسیجرز کے لیے مختص کیے گئے ہیں۔ اس پروگرام کا مقصد مریض اور ان کے خاندانوں کو مالی بوجھ سے نجات دلانا ہے تاکہ وہ اہم صحت کی خدمات حاصل کر سکیں۔ اس پروگرام میں خون کی صفائی کے مریضوں کے لیے مفت ادویات اور ٹیسٹس شامل ہیں تاکہ مریضوں کی مکمل مدد کی جا سکے اور علاج میں کسی قسم کی کمی نہ رہ جائے۔
Background of the Scheme
It is a sub-package of the health packages initiated by Maryam Nawaz to ensure proper health delivery to the people in the province. The disease/condition under focus is kidney disease, considering its rising prevalence in Pakistan and it has emerged as a big public health problem. The statistics of case presentations point to the fact that kidney diseases rank among the top causes of morbidity in Pakistan, and the time for improvement in patient care cannot wait any longer.
Health Projects of Maryam Nawaz
Maryam Nawaz has been the sole face of many health projects that have undergone a change in the dispensation of health services across Punjab. Her government has launched several programs under free medical treatment, expansion of health facilities, and access to essential medicines. It is one of the many initiated by the government of Maryam Nawaz to elevate the health sector.
Key Features of Health Projects Launched by Maryam Nawaz
- Free Hemodialysis in Punjab: It will help provide free dialysis services to patients after being cleared, so no one is deterred from receiving treatment due to money issues.
- More Dialsing Units: The Government of Punjab has announced that it will increase the number of dialsing units across the state.
- The patients will be given considerable financial support: The program will thus help reduce families’ out-of-pocket expenses in case of renal diseases.
- Free medicines for patients: To light the burden further, free medications will be given to the patients that the program is enrolling in free of cost, which is a must for dialysis.
- Monitoring and compliance: The Punjab Healthcare Commission will monitor adherence to Standard Operating Procedures at all dialysis centers, thus ensuring quality care and patient safety.
Dialysis Program in Pakistan
It is one of the main treatment options for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD). There are numerous areas in Pakistan where the facilities are very few. Thus, it becomes a matter of concern for such patients to reach centers frequently. Programs like this are an important step toward better health outcomes.
Current State of the Services in Pakistan
- Accessibility of the Centers: There are very limited access options for dialysis centers in rural areas compared to metropolitan areas.
- Cost of the treatment: Patients avoid time-bound proper treatment simply because the price being charged for each Hemodialysis session is higher.
- Health Education and Awareness: The general public needs health education regarding renal conditions and methods of prevention.
پاکستان میں ڈائیلاسز سینٹرز تک رسائی شہری علاقوں کے مقابلے میں دیہی علاقوں میں بہت محدود ہے، جس کی وجہ سے علاج تک پہنچنا مشکل ہے۔ علاج کی قیمت بھی ایک بڑی رکاوٹ ہے، کیونکہ ہر ہیما ڈائیلاسز سیشن کی قیمت زیادہ ہونے کی وجہ سے مریض وقت پر اور مناسب علاج سے گریز کرتے ہیں۔ مزید برآں، عوامی سطح پر گردوں کی بیماریوں اور ان کی روک تھام کے طریقوں کے بارے میں آگاہی کی کمی ہے۔ یہ آگاہی کی کمی جلد تشخیص اور مؤثر علاج میں رکاوٹ بنتی ہے، جس سے ملک میں بہت سے افراد کی صحت کے مسائل بڑھ جاتے ہیں۔ ان مسائل کا حل گردوں کی دیکھ بھال اور مریضوں کے نتائج کو بہتر بنانے کے لیے ضروری ہے۔
Free Medical Treatments under the Plan
It is there not only to ensure financial aid but also to ensure that the patients receive proper treatment in terms of medical well-being. This involves the following:
- Follow-up by health care professionals.
- Access to high-tech diagnostic tests.
- Nutrition counseling concerning kidney health.
Eligibility Criteria
For inclusion in the scheme, patients must meet certain cm scheme eligibility criteria:
- Domicile: They must be residents of Punjab.
- Medical Condition: They must have a confirmed diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and require regular hemodialysis.
- Economic Background: Low-income families, where treatment costs cannot be borne, are also included in the priority list.
Dialysis Units in Punjab: Planned Expansions
The Punjab government is eager to upgrade the existing units along with opening new centers in various districts all around the province. The upgrading of such facilities will enhance quick services for emergency cases and easily facilitate a patient’s access to health services.
Proposed Locations for the Centers
- Rural Health Centers (RHCs) in underdeveloped areas.
- Major hospitals are situated in the cities of Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Rawalpindi.
- Private healthcare providers will be included to make the service delivery strong.
HIV Cases in Dialysis Patients
During the recent health initiative meeting, there was a great concern expressed on the proliferation of HIV cases in the dialysis centers across Punjab. This has brought home the point of strengthening infection control measures in the centers. The government has made it imperative that centers and units must have overall SOPs covering the cross-contamination issues to ensure dialysis safety for patients.
Punjab Centers’ SOPs
High standards of care in hemodialysis centers have been promoted through the following SOPs:
- Centre Infection Control SOP
- Sterilization of equipment at a regular interval and adherence to hygiene SOPs.
- Pre-treatment screening of patients.
- Continuing education and training programs for healthcare staff on best practices in the delivery of care.
- Financial support schemes for patients suffering from End-Stage Renal Disease.
It is part of a broader commitment the CM Dialysis Program Card administration has made to financially support the treatment of kidney disease in Punjab. This is in line with other social health care programs directed toward healthy outcomes in populations.
ہیما ڈائیلاسز سینٹرز میں معیاری دیکھ بھال کو بہتر بنانے کے لیے مختلف SOPs پر عمل کیا جا رہا ہے، جن میں انفیکشن کنٹرول، آلات کی سٹرلائزیشن، اور مریضوں کی اسکریننگ شامل ہیں۔ صحت کے عملے کی تربیت اور تعلیم کے پروگرام بھی جاری ہیں تاکہ بہترین دیکھ بھال فراہم کی جا سکے۔ اینڈ اسٹیج رینل بیماری کے مریضوں کے لیے مالی معاونت کے منصوبے بھی متعارف کرائے گئے ہیں۔ یہ اقدامات مریم نواز انتظامیہ کے عزم کا حصہ ہیں، جو پنجاب میں گردے کی بیماری کے علاج کے لیے مالی مدد فراہم کر رہی ہے اور اس کا مقصد عوام کی صحت میں بہتری لانا ہے۔
Additional Bonus Support Dialysis Program Card
- Subsidy for prescription medications treating kidney disease.
- Cost aids for transportation for outpatients going long distances.
- Cooperation of NGOs and charities about issues related to renal causes.
Free Medicines in Punjab
Under Dialysis Program Card, the following free medicines were initiated:
- Free Heart Surgery Programs: Programs for the facilitation of cardiac surgeries for children and adults at no cost.
- Maternal Health Programs: For safe delivery practices along with maternal care facilities in remote areas.
- Vaccination Drives: All the vaccines for the diseases that can be easily thwarted in children.
Conclusion
Under the care of Maryam Nawaz Dialysis Program Card becomes a new hard kick in the healthcare landscape of Punjab. It will finally lay to rest kidney disease treatment-related financial barriers and also accessibility issues for tens of thousands of people whose care is managed with chronic renal conditions. Much remains to be implemented for programs that not only provide relief at the moment but also ensure long-term improvement in Pakistan’s healthcare system, as part of her continued long-term efforts to strengthen public health services. It is the ongoing efforts toward facilities’ expansion and quality care through strict SOPs that place this program as a model for future healthcare throughout the country.