

Pakistan has taken a major step forward in advanced cardiac healthcare with the opening of its first dedicated heart transplant centre in Lahore.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the facility at the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology on August 21, 2026.
Built with an investment of Rs 16 billion, the new 250 bed autonomous institute is designed to provide specialised cardiac treatment within Pakistan.

The new institute brings together advanced medical technology and specialised cardiac services under one roof. Its facilities include six catheterisation laboratories, five modular operation theatres, intensive care units and dedicated cardiac wards.
Patients will also have access to a heart lung machine, high end Tesla MRI technology, modern pathology and radiology laboratories, emergency services and other specialised treatment areas.
The large scale facility has been designed to support both treatment and advanced cardiac procedures, creating infrastructure that can serve patients with complex heart conditions.

One of the centre’s most significant initiatives is its plan to provide heart transplants free of cost to deserving patients. The Punjab government will cover the expenses through a dedicated special fund.
Heart transplantation can cost around $50,000, placing the procedure beyond the reach of many families.
Officials say the use of Chinese technology could bring the estimated cost down to approximately $10,000, potentially allowing more patients to benefit from the programme.

The new centre is also bringing international medical expertise into Pakistan. Dr Hasnat Khan, a UK based cardiologist, has returned to the country to help treat patients and train Pakistani doctors at the facility.
The centre is intended to develop local expertise alongside its advanced infrastructure, helping Pakistani medical professionals gain experience in complex cardiac procedures and transplantation.
The broader goal is to build a healthcare system where patients can access sophisticated heart treatment without leaving the country.








