Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to start operations of Pakistan's first public sector cancer hospital, Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research Center this month, besides early completion of Lahore's Jinnah Institute of Cardiology and Sargodha's Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology.

She also set a deadline of January 31 for the inauguration of Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore, besides ensuring early completion of new hospitals, and the reconstruction of Lady Willingdon Hospital in Lahore as soon as possible. She added that every cancer patient coming from all over Pakistan will be treated at Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research Center.

Chief Minister Punjab noted that the basement and ground floor of Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research Center along with waiting area/inn for the patients, mosque and doctors' residences have been completed. She said that recruitment of doctors and professional staff for Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research Center has begun, as interview for 219 posts have been conducted, and a decision has been taken to re-advertise vacancy for the appointment of its head.