On Friday, 21 August 2026, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif formally opened the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore, a 256‑bed specialty hospital built to deliver advanced heart‑treatment services to patients from across Punjab and the broader nation.
The new centre houses dedicated cardiac intensive care units, modern catheterisation laboratories and a range of outpatient clinics, allowing it to perform complex procedures such as angioplasty, valve replacement and electrophysiology studies under one roof.
Its launch comes at a time when cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Pakistan, accounting for roughly one‑third of all mortalities nationwide. The high prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and lifestyle‑related risk factors has long strained existing cardiac units in public hospitals, prompting calls for expanded capacity.
By adding more than 250 beds focused solely on heart care, the institute is expected to ease the patient load on older facilities such as Mayo Hospital and Services Hospital, where cardiac wards often operate at or beyond capacity. Health officials anticipate shorter waiting times for surgeries and diagnostic tests, which could translate into better outcomes for thousands of residents each year.
The inauguration aligns with the Punjab government’s broader health‑infrastructure agenda for 2026, which aims to increase specialist beds by 15 percent and introduce cutting‑edge medical technologies in provincial hospitals. Maryam Nawaz highlighted the project as a tangible step toward reducing regional health disparities and improving access to life‑saving treatment for underserved communities.
Named after the nation’s founder, the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology also seeks to serve as a training hub for cardiologists and allied health professionals, fostering expertise that can be disseminated to other medical centres across the country. Its establishment signals a renewed emphasis on cardiac health within Pakistan’s public‑sector healthcare strategy.