Islamabad: Evening Out-Patient Department (OPD) services have been launched at five leading social security hospitals in Punjab, enabling thousands of labourers and their families—who are unable to visit hospitals during working hours—to now access free-of-charge healthcare in the evening, officials said on Saturday.
On the special directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Provincial Labour Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar, and Commissioner Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI) Muhammad Ali, the initiative aims to improve access to medical services for the working class and is already functional in major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan.
“Evening OPDs have been started from 2 PM to 8 PM at five major social security hospitals, including the Social Security Teaching Hospital in Islamabad, to accommodate patients who could not avail the service during the morning hours,” said Dr. Tabinda Zaman, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, while briefing media along with representatives of labour unions, administration, and senior consultants.
Dr. Tabinda Zaman confirmed that key departments such as Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology, Radiology, and Operation Theaters will remain fully functional during evening shifts, ensuring continuity of care.
She emphasized that the initiative is particularly for social security cardholders and their families, and that all services—including consultancy, diagnostics, and treatment—are completely free for registered patients. However, non-registered individuals can also avail services at subsidized rates, with consultancy charges significantly lower than market rates.
She maintained that the evening OPD initiative is part of a broader government strategy to revamp healthcare delivery for the working class, aligning with Maryam Nawaz’s commitment to improving health and labour welfare systems in Punjab.
The services will be especially beneficial for daily wage earners, factory workers, and other labourers whose working hours coincide with traditional morning OPD timings.
As part of a long-term transformation plan, Social Security Teaching Hospital Islamabad, in collaboration with Health Services Academy (HSA) and Maryam Nawaz Wellness Center, has undertaken a range of development activities including the digitization of hospital data, biometric attendance, installation of a new HMIS, centralized procurement, and improved emergency care.
Under a recent agreement with APPNA, 50 U.S.-based Pakistani doctors are collaborating with hospitals in Punjab to conduct teaching rounds and provide specialized medical training. Hospitals in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Multan are now being connected with telemedicine facilities to offer remote consultations from U.S.-based experts.
Additionally, 1328 biomedical machines have been distributed to hospitals across Punjab, while new diagnostic labs and dialysis units are being established.
So far, over 27 newborns have been delivered safely at Social Security Teaching Hospital Islamabad since the new OB/GYN unit became operational. The facility has also started a comprehensive digital record system and implemented electronic prescription services.
Meanwhile, more than 95,000 workers have already been registered under the PESSI network in Islamabad. A total of 85,000 workers have received health cards, which can now be used across Punjab’s social security hospitals. Further, patients from as far as Gilgit-Baltistan and KP have started visiting the Islamabad facility due to its improved services.
Officials said the ongoing upgrades are being closely monitored under the Punjab Social Security Institution’s 2024–25 reform plan, which is expected to dramatically improve patient satisfaction and hospital performance indicators. Under this plan, the government is also considering offering incentives to registered workers and extending universal OPD coverage to other cities.
Patients requiring expensive treatments including cardiac surgeries, dialysis, and long-term rehabilitation will also benefit under the expanding healthcare umbrella. For now, officials hope that the evening OPDs will be a game-changer for thousands of labourers across Punjab who can finally seek care without compromising on work.
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