by 1. 🔍 What the Initiative Is
Punjab Institute of Neuro Sciences (PINS) in Lahore has launched a Zero‑Day Surgery service for spinal trauma cases. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the program ensures that patients receive surgical intervention within 24 hours of admission, a crucial improvement aligning with international care standards.
2. ⚙️ What It Means for Patients
- Rapid response: A neuro‑spine operation theatre is now fully operational around the clock.
- Timely treatment: Emergency spinal surgeries no longer wait days or weeks—critical for limiting permanent damage.
- Comprehensive care: Support from neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and paramedics ensures a streamlined, high‑quality surgical experience .
3. 🧠 Why Timing Matters
Spinal cord injuries carry high risks:
- Neurological decline happens rapidly without intervention.
- Early surgery increases chances of restoring motor and sensory function.
This service directly reduces the risk of lifelong paralysis and disability.
4. 🌍 Punjab’s Broader Disability Prevention Strategy
This Zero‑Day Surgery is part of a wider provincial movement:
- The Paraplegic Services Project (2023) established five rehabilitation centers across Punjab, offering trans‑spinal surgery, physiotherapy equipment, prosthetic workshops, and speech therapy .
- In April 2025, CM Maryam Nawaz launched Punjab’s largest assistive devices drive, distributing wheelchairs, prosthetics, scooters, and more to persons with disabilities free of charge—supporting both mobility and independence.
5. 💡 Impact on Healthcare
- Enhanced survival and recovery: Quicker operations reduce complications and improve long-term health.
- Expanded access to advanced care: Provincial infrastructure now includes emergency, surgical, rehabilitative, and assistive services.
- Reduced long-term costs: Preventing permanent disability lowers financial burdens on families and public health budgets.
6. 🧭 What Comes Next
- Scale‑up surgical access: Expanding Zero‑Day Surgery to other regional hospitals across Punjab.
- Track outcomes: Monitor improvements through clinical data—surgical timing, recovery rates, functional outcomes.
- Sustain rehabilitation: Bolster paraplegic centers with ongoing funding, trained staff, and assistive‑device manufacturing support.
- Punjab Launches Key Initiative to Prevent Disability in Spinal Injury Case.
✅ Final Word
Punjab’s Zero‑Day Surgery initiative marks a critical leap toward reducing permanent disability from spinal injuries. By combining prompt surgical care with rehabilitation, assistive devices, and holistic support, the province is building a more resilient, inclusive healthcare framework—setting a model that could inspire regions across Pakistan.
