Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a groundbreaking welfare initiative, Pakistan’s first-ever free ambulance service dedicated to transporting deceased persons from hospitals to their homes, providing relief to grieving families during their most difficult moments.
The decision was approved in a special meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, where Emergency Services Secretary Dr. Rizwan Naseer provided a detailed briefing. The newly approved service will provide ambulance transportation for the deceased, taking bodies from hospitals directly to the homes of families at no cost.
The chief minister directed authorities to present a detailed plan to launch the service in major public hospitals and across every tehsil. She stated that at least one government vehicle will be available in each tehsil to transport bodies from hospitals to residences, ensuring province-wide coverage.
Families can request the service by either calling 1122 or visiting the hospital counter. To ensure efficiency, the body transportation service will be monitored through a smart management system. The digital monitoring will guarantee transparency and prevent misuse of the facility.
The meeting also decided that transportation of bodies from one city to another will be provided free of charge, addressing the needs of families whose loved ones pass away far from home. This intercity transfer facility ensures no family faces financial burden during bereavement, regardless of distance.
In addition, participants agreed in principle to regulate private ambulance services. The government will review and standardize rates for private operators to prevent exploitation and overcharging of vulnerable families during their time of loss.
This compassionate initiative reflects CM Maryam Nawaz’s commitment to dignified treatment of the deceased and support for bereaved families, marking a significant step in Punjab’s emergency services modernization alongside other recent improvements like air ambulance services and expanded rescue stations across the province.
