Health sector — Lahore Division
Four districts — Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, and Kasur — facility overview, major DHQ hospitals, and Punjab health budget context.
Facilities overview (division total)
Lahore Division has a large number of health facilities, but many primary and secondary units suffer from chronic under-resourcing, staff shortages, and poor maintenance, reflecting governance gaps despite being the provincial capital’s division.
| Category | Approximate total |
|---|---|
| DHQ Hospitals | 4 |
| THQ Hospitals | 15–20+ |
| RHCs | 50–60+ |
| BHUs | 300+ |
| Dispensaries / MCH / Sub HC | Significant numbers — many face stockouts and dysfunctional equipment |
Note: Lahore district alone hosts most tertiary/teaching hospitals, while peripheral districts (Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur) rely heavily on overburdened DHQs with limited upgrades. Total facilities appear numerically higher than Sargodha, yet per capita access and quality remain poor in non-Lahore districts due to mismanagement and urban bias.
This data is for the entire Lahore Division (4 districts).
Facility breakdown by type and district
| Facility type | Division total | Lahore | Sheikhupura | Nankana Sahib | Kasur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHQ Hospitals | 4 | 0 (tertiary focus) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| THQ Hospitals | 18+ | 9+ | 4+ | 2+ | 3+ |
| RHCs (Rural Health Centers) | 55+ | 20+ | 12+ | 8+ | 11+ |
| BHUs (Basic Health Units) | 320+ | 100+ | 70+ | 60+ | 70+ |
| Govt. Rural Dispensaries | 100+ | Higher | Moderate | Lower | Moderate |
| MCH Centres (Mother & Child Health) | 60+ | Higher | Moderate | Lower | Moderate |
| Sub Health Centers | 80+ | Higher | Moderate | Lower | Moderate |
Lahore dominates tertiary care; peripheral districts show clear infrastructure and service deficits.
Facility Types — Division Counts
BHUs by District
Lahore and Kasur lead in BHU counts; Nankana Sahib has the lowest among the four districts.
RHCs by District
DHQ / Major tertiary hospitals — Lahore
Lahore hosts multiple major tertiary facilities (e.g., Mayo Hospital, Services Hospital, Lahore General Hospital, Jinnah Hospital) acting as de facto DHQ-level and above. These serve millions with heavy overload.
Lahore General Hospital (key facility)
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Bed capacity | Large — with high patient load |
| Patients treated (2025) | 2.3 million (without slip fee) |
| Departments | Emergency, Medicine, Surgery, Gynecology, Pediatrics & more |
| Daily load | High OPD and admissions — often runs at or beyond capacity |
| Key challenge | Overcrowding, resource strain despite being in provincial capital |
Note: Other major teaching/tertiary hospitals in Lahore face chronic issues of high bed occupancy (>90% in many cases), specialist shortages, and management problems.
DHQ Hospital Sheikhupura
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Catchment population | 2.5–3 million |
| Authorized beds | 500–600 (significant trauma centre with 115 beds reported) |
| Major wards | Medicine, Surgery, Gynecology, Pediatrics, Emergency, ICU/CCU, Burn Unit, Dialysis |
| Key challenges | High patient load, frequent medicine stockouts, mismanagement, specialist vacancies |
| Inspections | Multiple surprise inspections by CM have highlighted poor conditions |
DHQ Hospital Kasur
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Catchment population | 1.9–2 million |
| Bed strength | 315 beds |
| Major wards | Emergency, Medicine, Surgical, Gynecology, Pediatrics |
| Key challenges | Persistent challenges in staffing, equipment, and service delivery |
| Status | Ongoing revamping/upgradation works |
DHQ Hospital Nankana Sahib
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Catchment population | 1.5–1.7 million |
| Bed strength | 100–200+ (upgraded in phases; earlier 70 beds) |
| Major facilities | Emergency (segregated red/yellow zones), ICU, OTs |
| Key challenges | Frequently reported infrastructure gaps, staff issues, service delivery shortfalls despite some upgrades |
Punjab health budget context (2025–26)
| Budget line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Punjab health sector total | Rs. 630.5 Billion |
| Development (ADP) | Rs. 181 Billion |
| Non-development | Rs. 450 Billion |
| Lahore-centric projects | Significant allocations (Medical District Lahore, Cancer Treatment, Cardiac Institutes) |
| Peripheral districts priority | Relatively low compared to Lahore projects — highlighting urban bias and governance imbalance |
Note: Lahore Division facilities are managed under Punjab Primary & Secondary Healthcare and Specialized Healthcare departments. Data is compiled from division health-sector reporting and district profiles (figures are approximate/latest reported and may vary with ongoing upgrades). High patient loads, specialist shortages, and medicine stock constraints remain common challenges across DHQs.