Jinnah Institute of Cardiology renamed after Maryam Nawaz Institute

The Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore has officially been renamed as the Maryam Nawaz Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, following approval from the Punjab Cabinet. 

The decision marks a shift in the hospital’s administrative and functional status, as it transitions from being an extension of Jinnah Hospital to an autonomous healthcare facility.

Confirming the development, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq stated that the renaming reflects the institute’s new independent identity. 

“It is now a standalone facility governed by its own board, and no longer under the administrative control or affiliation of Jinnah Hospital,” he said during a televised interview.

The minister added that the newly named institute is being developed with a futuristic vision, incorporating AI-powered and robotic medical equipment, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and services tailored for health tourism, aiming to attract international patients seeking advanced cardiovascular care.

Read: Maryam Nawaz announces free treatment for patients returning from India amid tensions

He further stated that the name has been included in the official provincial budget documents and departmental communications.

Earlier, the Punjab government had suspended Sehat Sahulat Ghat card services in all government hospitals across the province as of June 30, 2025. 

According to the directive, patients already receiving treatment before July 1 will be allowed to continue their care, but new admissions under the program will not be entertained.

The decision also limits inter-provincial access to medical care under the Sehat Card, though the program will remain partially active in selected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.