CM Punjab Children Heart Surgery Programme 2026 – Free Surgery Guide
A child’s heart surgery in a private hospital costs Rs. 200,000 to over Rs. 1 million — a number that ends the conversation for most Pakistani families before it begins. The Children Heart Surgery Programme Punjab exists so that the conversation does not end there: launched by CM Maryam Nawaz, it provides completely free heart surgery and treatment to children with heart disease, and it has already crossed 10,000 successful treatments.
What the Programme Covers
Diagnosis, the surgery itself, post-operative care, medications, and even accommodation support for the family during treatment — all covered by the Punjab government. The programme targets congenital heart defects as well as acquired cardiac conditions in children up to 16 years of age, with priority for low-income families and BISP-registered households.
Where Surgeries Happen
The first phase runs through six government and designated private hospitals:
| City | Hospitals |
|---|---|
| Lahore | Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), Children’s Hospital Lahore |
| Multan | Children’s Hospital Multan, Multan cardiology institute |
| Faisalabad | Faisalabad cardiology institute |
| Rawalpindi | Rawalpindi cardiology institute |
A second phase extends the facility to Wazirabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, and Sargodha. And here is the clause that matters most for urgent cases: if no bed is available in a government hospital, the child’s operation is done in a private hospital — at government expense.
How to Enroll: The Child Surgery Card
The practical path:
- Take your child to the cardiac department of one of the participating hospitals (Children’s Hospital Lahore is the flagship entry point) with the child’s medical records and your CNIC
- The hospital’s cardiac team evaluates the case and confirms the diagnosis
- Eligible cases are registered in the programme’s centralized system and issued the Child Surgery Card
- Surgery is scheduled by medical urgency — critical cases first
- Post-operative care and follow-ups continue under the same coverage
After Surgery: Recovery and Follow-Up
Post-operative care under the programme includes the ICU stay, medications, and scheduled follow-up visits. Children’s heart surgery recovery typically means one to two weeks in hospital, then restricted activity for six to twelve weeks at home while the sternum heals. Follow-up visits are covered under the same programme, so cost is never a reason to skip them.
Children Heart Surgery Programme Punjab: Quick Answers
Is the Children Heart Surgery Programme Punjab really free? Yes — diagnosis, surgery, post-operative care, medications, and family accommodation are fully covered by the Punjab government. If no government hospital bed is available, the Children Heart Surgery Programme Punjab pays for the operation in a private hospital.
Who is eligible for the Children Heart Surgery Programme Punjab? Children up to 16 with congenital or acquired heart conditions, prioritizing low-income and BISP-registered families. Children from other provinces have also been treated under the Children Heart Surgery Programme Punjab.
How do I enroll my child in the Children Heart Surgery Programme Punjab? Visit the cardiac department of a participating hospital (PIC or Children’s Hospital Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, or Rawalpindi institutes) with medical records and your CNIC. Cases are registered centrally and issued a Child Surgery Card, with scheduling by medical urgency under the Children Heart Surgery Programme Punjab.
Related Guides
- 8171 Web Portal 2026 – Check BISP Payment by CNIC
- BISP 8171 Complete Guide 2026 – Payments & Eligibility
- Asaan Karobar Finance Scheme 2026 – 0% SME Loans
Disclaimer: Hospital lists, phases, and enrollment procedures expand over time. Always verify current details through the participating hospitals or official Punjab government health channels before acting.
