A groundbreaking healthcare initiative in Punjab is delivering remarkable results, offering a new lease on life to hundreds of stroke patients across the province. The Stroke Management Programme, launched under the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has become a vital lifeline, successfully aiding in the recovery of more than 700 individuals in just one year.
A Life-Saving Initiative Takes Root
Official data reveals the significant impact of this public health programme. Its cornerstone is the free provision of the crucial TNK injection, a clot-busting medication that dramatically improves outcomes if administered promptly after a stroke. With a market cost of approximately Rs300,000 per dose, this treatment was previously inaccessible for a vast majority of patients, often condemning them to severe, lifelong disabilities.
Sharifa Bibi's Story: From Paralysis to Recovery
The human impact of the programme is powerfully illustrated by the case of 70-year-old Sharifa Bibi from Thokar Niaz Baig. After suffering a severe stroke that paralyzed the right side of her body and robbed her of speech and hand movement, she was rushed to Services Hospital. There, she was immediately transferred to the dedicated Chief Minister Stroke Management Centre.
Doctors acted swiftly, administering the TNK injection. The results were transformative. Within hours, Sharifa Bibi regained her speech, and she subsequently made a full recovery of her affected limbs. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she stated that the programme had given her a second chance at life.
Family Gratitude and Broader Healthcare Goals
Her son echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that without the timely and free intervention, his mother would have faced permanent disability. He praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for launching this critical initiative, highlighting it as a major step forward in strengthening public healthcare infrastructure and protecting society's most vulnerable members from the devastating aftermath of strokes.
The success stories emerging from the Stroke Management Programme underscore its role as a model for equitable, timely, and effective medical care. By removing the financial barrier to essential treatment, the Punjab government is not only saving lives but also preventing countless families from the emotional and economic burden of long-term disability.
