LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has instructed the relevant authorities to implement a province-wide comprehensive health screening program for students in special education. This initiative, the first of its kind in Punjab’s history, aims to provide medical examinations and treatment to over 35,600 children with special needs.
During a briefing, it was outlined that the program will include eye testing, dental check-ups, and the diagnosis of various medical conditions for more than 34,000 students enrolled in special education centers. On-the-spot treatment will be offered to over 20,000 students as part of the initiative.
Additionally, more than 9,000 children will receive extended medical care at tehsil and district headquarters hospitals as well as health facilities in cities across Punjab. Approximately 5,000 children will benefit from treatment at hospitals in major urban centers.
The chief minister was also informed of the success of a door-to-door admission campaign for special students, which has led to over 5,000 new enrollments throughout the province.
Furthermore, officials shared plans for enhanced security measures at special education institutions. In Phase-I, 989 surveillance cameras will be installed across 142 centers in Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, and D.G. Khan Divisions. Phase-II will cover 158 centers in Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Sahiwal Divisions, bringing the total to 4,381 cameras by next May.
These cameras will be linked to a central monitoring system in Lahore to ensure both the safety of students and the monitoring of their behavior. By November, 3,450 cameras are expected to be operational, significantly boosting security at special education facilities.
