Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital to Be Established in Dera Ghazi Khan

 

Dera Ghazi Khan: The Punjab government has approved the establishment of the Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan, marking another major addition to specialised healthcare infrastructure in southern Punjab.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on September 26, 2026, where progress on major healthcare projects across the province was reviewed. The meeting also approved the establishment of the Maryam Nawaz Medical College and Teaching Hospital in Mianwali.

Expanding Cancer Care in South Punjab

The proposed cancer hospital is intended to strengthen access to specialised oncology services for residents of Dera Ghazi Khan and surrounding areas. The project is particularly significant for patients who may otherwise need to travel to larger cities for specialised cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Earlier in June, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said the government was working on a state-of-the-art Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan and directed departments to ensure timely execution of the project.

Rs15.2 Billion Project

The project has also appeared in Punjab's 2026-27 development planning. Reports have put the estimated cost at approximately Rs15.21 billion, with the hospital planned as a major specialised healthcare facility for the region.

The proposed investment reflects the provincial government's broader focus on expanding specialised medical services beyond Lahore and other major urban centres.

Reducing the Need for Long-Distance Treatment

Cancer treatment often requires repeated consultations, diagnostic procedures, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other specialised services. Establishing a dedicated facility in Dera Ghazi Khan could make such services more accessible to patients from southern Punjab.

The government has simultaneously been working on other cancer-care initiatives in the region. These include a cancer centre at Nishtar Hospital Multan and the installation of advanced diagnostic equipment, including a PET scan and cyclotron, intended to strengthen cancer diagnosis and treatment capacity in southern Punjab.

Part of a Wider Healthcare Expansion

The Dera Ghazi Khan cancer hospital is part of a wider healthcare expansion programme being pursued by the Punjab government.

During the latest meeting, authorities also reviewed the proposed Nawaz Sharif Medical District, the Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research Centre and cardiology projects. The government has also approved a 268-bed Nawaz Sharif-Maryam Nawaz Institute of Cardiology in Gujranwala.

The proposed Nawaz Sharif Medical District is expected to include specialised institutes covering infectious diseases, plastic surgery, genetics, surgery and orthopaedics, along with a second children's hospital, an institute of ophthalmology, an Al-Shifa Eye Trust Hospital and a 100-bed general hospital.

Focus on Timely Completion

Following the latest review, the Punjab chief minister directed relevant departments to take necessary measures for the timely execution of healthcare projects across the province. The directive comes as the government continues to expand specialised healthcare facilities in cities outside the provincial capital.

For Dera Ghazi Khan and neighbouring districts, the proposed Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital represents a planned expansion of specialised cancer-care infrastructure in southern Punjab. Further details regarding the hospital's capacity, specialised departments, equipment and construction timeline will be subject to subsequent government announcements.