Punjab has announced the construction of two new children’s hospitals as part of a major push to strengthen pediatric healthcare services across the province. These facilities are intended to deliver modern care, reduce wait times for treatment and ensure that young patients in both urban and rural areas have access to specialized medical services near their homes.

The government has committed to allocating significant funds under the Annual Development Programme for the establishment of these hospitals. Each hospital will be equipped with emergency wards, neonatal intensive care units, diagnostic labs and outpatient departments geared toward children. The design includes modern operating theatres for pediatric surgery and specialized units for childhood diseases, orthopaedics, respiratory illnesses and neonatal care.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, while unveiling the plans, emphasized that children’s health is a priority for her administration. She noted that many regions in Punjab currently face shortages of pediatric specialists and that families often travel long distances to big cities for treatment. The new hospitals are intended to close that gap by creating accessible centers staffed with trained pediatricians, nurses and support staff.

These hospitals will incorporate training components to build local capacity. Medical education wings will be set up within their premises to train doctors and nurses in child-specific emergencies and advanced pediatric care. Continuous professional development programs are also planned in collaboration with health departments to ensure service standards remain high.

In addition to treatment, health outreach programs will be launched from these hospitals to cover preventive care. Vaccination campaigns, screening for malnutrition and growth monitoring will become integrated services. Public awareness initiatives will be carried out to educate parents on recognizing warning signs in children and seeking timely care.

Site selection for the two hospitals is underway, with priority given to districts with higher child mortality rates and limited access to specialized care. The government aims to complete one hospital within the next two years and have both hospitals fully operational within three years. Operational planning includes ensuring stable supply of medicines, uninterrupted power backup, diagnostic imaging and proper referral systems to handle serious pediatric cases efficiently.

The addition of these new children’s hospitals is expected to have multiple benefits. First it will reduce burden on existing hospitals that are overwhelmed with pediatric cases. Second it will save costs and time for poor families who presently travel far for child care. Third it will strengthen the overall health system by retaining and developing specialist pediatric talent in smaller towns. Finally it will reinforce Punjab’s goal of improving health outcomes for children, aligning with national and international child-health targets.