Breaking News: CM Orders Health Screening for Special Children Across Punjab
Punjab Chief Minister CM Orders Health Screening for Special Children Across Punjab. This move aims to ensure that every child enrolled in special education centers receives complete medical care, treatment, and follow-up support — a first in Punjab’s history.
Under this initiative, over 35,600 special children will undergo detailed medical examinations including eye, dental, and physical health checkups, while more than 20,000 will get on-the-spot treatment. This program marks a new milestone in Punjab’s inclusive development and health transformation policy.
Historic Initiative: 35,600 Special Students to Benefit
According to the official briefing presented to the Chief Minister, this is the first-ever health screening initiative for special education students.
Key highlights include:
- 35,600+ students to undergo medical checkups across Punjab.
- Eye, dental, ENT, and psychological assessments to be included.
- Over 20,000 students to get free medicines and minor treatment on-site.
- 9,000 children to receive advanced treatment at district and tehsil hospitals.
- 5,000 students to be treated in major city hospitals such as Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan.
CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized, “Every child deserves access to healthcare, especially those who need our attention the most. This is a matter of dignity, inclusion, and responsibility.”
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Comprehensive Health and Education Integration
This program isn’t limited to medical screening — it’s part of a larger social inclusion strategy led by CM Maryam Nawaz. The initiative combines healthcare, education, and digital empowerment to improve the overall quality of life for children with special needs.
Each student will be provided with a digital health card containing medical reports, prescriptions, and progress updates. The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) will manage the data through a real-time monitoring dashboard, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
Additionally, parent-teacher workshops will be held to raise awareness about child nutrition, mental well-being, and early detection of disabilities.
Door-to-Door Admission Campaign Yields Strong Results
The CM was informed that the recent door-to-door admission campaign for special education students achieved remarkable success, resulting in over 5,000 new enrollments across the province.
Maryam Nawaz praised the field officers and education workers for their hard work and announced performance incentives for outstanding teams.
She stated, “Our government is committed to ensuring that every special child in Punjab receives education, healthcare, and opportunities for digital growth.”
Health Screening to Cover All Special Education Centers
The Punjab Special Education Department will collaborate with the Health Department to conduct screenings in all districts of Punjab.
Mobile medical teams equipped with modern diagnostic tools will visit schools in both urban and rural areas.
Services include:
- General physical examination
- Eye and hearing tests
- Dental and oral health checks
- Mental health assessments
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation sessions
The CM has directed that emergency referral facilities be established at nearby hospitals for any child needing urgent medical care.
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Special Health Cards and Record Management
Each child screened under this program will be issued a Special Health Record Card managed by PITB’s centralized system.
These records will include:
- Child’s name, diagnosis, and prescribed treatment.
- Doctor’s report and follow-up instructions.
- Digital entry accessible to parents and teachers.
This ensures continuous healthcare tracking for every child even after the screening drive ends.
CM Punjab Freelancer Program Integrated into Special Schools
In a groundbreaking move, CM Maryam Nawaz has also directed that digital skills programs be launched in special education institutions through the CM Punjab Freelancer Program.
Under this initiative, special students are learning:
- Graphic Design
- YouTube & Social Media Management
- E-Commerce
- Content Creation
- Digital Marketing
So far, 18 master trainers have been appointed, 1,760 students trained, and 50 top performers will receive free laptops as recognition of their achievements.
Infrastructure Upgradation and Smart Labs
Ten new computer labs have been approved in special education schools, while eight existing labs will be upgraded with modern equipment.
These smart labs will feature:
- Touchscreen computers and Braille-enabled devices
- Voice recognition software
- Assistive learning tools for visually and hearing-impaired students
- High-speed internet for remote learning access
The CM stated that the digital inclusion of special students will enable them to participate equally in Pakistan’s growing online economy.
District-Wise Implementation Plan
The health screening program will be implemented in three phases across Punjab.
| Phase | Target Districts | Students Covered | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad | 12,000 | Nov–Dec 2025 |
| Phase 2 | Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, DG Khan | 11,000 | Jan–Feb 2026 |
| Phase 3 | Remaining Districts | 12,600 | Mar–Apr 2026 |
Deputy Commissioners and District Education Officers will personally oversee implementation in their regions.
Teacher and Parent Awareness Sessions
To enhance understanding of special children’s needs, training sessions for teachers and parents will be organized in collaboration with the Punjab Institute of Mental Health and Children’s Hospital Lahore.
These sessions will focus on:
- Identifying learning disabilities early.
- Managing autism and behavioral challenges.
- Encouraging speech and physical therapy at home.
- Promoting emotional well-being of special children.
CM Maryam Nawaz said, “Awareness among parents and teachers is as vital as treatment. We must educate those who shape these children’s daily lives.”
Monitoring Through PITB Digital Dashboard
The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has been tasked with designing a Health Screening Dashboard to track every stage of the program.
This dashboard will display:
- Number of students screened (district-wise).
- Diagnoses made and treatments provided.
- Hospitals and doctors involved.
- Daily performance metrics for monitoring officers.
This ensures real-time transparency and accountability for all participating departments.
Maryam Nawaz’s Vision: Inclusive Punjab 2025
CM Maryam Nawaz has consistently promoted the vision of “Inclusive Punjab 2025” — a province where education, health, and digital empowerment go hand in hand.
Her key programs include:
- Khud Mukhtar Program 2025 – loans up to Rs. 1.5 lakh for small businesses.
- Punjab Kisan Card – interest-free loans and subsidies for farmers.
- Asaan Karobar Card – support for youth entrepreneurs.
- CM Freelancer Program – digital skill training for youth and women.
- Livestock Card – financial empowerment for rural families.
The special children’s health screening aligns perfectly with her vision of “Equal access, equal opportunity, and equal respect for all citizens.”
Public and Expert Reactions
The initiative has received widespread appreciation from parents, educators, and healthcare professionals.
Dr. Shazia Rafiq, Child Specialist at Children’s Hospital Lahore, praised the move, calling it “a revolution in early child health diagnosis and rehabilitation.”
Parent associations across Punjab also welcomed the program, highlighting that many families cannot afford regular medical checkups, and this government intervention will change lives.
Social media users lauded CM Maryam Nawaz for prioritizing vulnerable communities in her first year in office, marking it as a progressive and compassionate governance step.
Future Expansion and Sustainability
The Punjab government aims to make this initiative a continuous program, not a one-time drive.
Annual screenings, follow-up medical camps, and rehabilitation services will be institutionalized under the Punjab Special Health & Education Policy 2026.
Plans are also being made to:
- Introduce telemedicine services for remote areas.
- Train special education nurses and therapists.
- Provide free medical insurance cards to families of special children.
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Conclusion – CM Orders Health Screening for Special Children Across Punjab
The province-wide health screening for special children launched by CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif is a historic leap toward a healthier, more inclusive Punjab.
By integrating healthcare, digital skills, and education, the Punjab government is laying the foundation for an empowered generation of differently-abled youth who will contribute confidently to society.
This initiative not only ensures medical well-being but also promotes dignity, inclusion, and opportunity — true reflections of a modern welfare state envisioned by CM Maryam Nawaz.
