Field Hospitals Punjab: Free Healthcare & Disaster Relief

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Field Hospitals Punjab free healthcare and disaster relief services 2026

The Government of Punjab operates a network of Field Hospitals across the province, providing free outpatient care, diagnostic tests, and emergency medical services to communities that otherwise have limited access to hospital facilities. The program serves two connected purposes: standing, year-round healthcare access in underserved areas, and rapid emergency medical deployment during disasters such as the 2025 monsoon floods.

In this guide, we explain what the Field Hospitals Punjab program offers, its current scale, and how it has supported disaster relief efforts.

What Are Field Hospitals in Punjab?

Field Hospitals are temporary or semi-permanent medical facilities set up by the Punjab Health Department in areas lacking adequate hospital infrastructure, as well as in disaster-affected zones requiring urgent medical response. They are staffed to provide outpatient consultations (OPDs), basic diagnostic services, and emergency care, helping bridge the healthcare gap in remote and underserved communities.

Ongoing Program Scale

According to the Punjab government's official Annual Development Program (ADP) Booklet, the standing Field Hospitals program operates at the following scale:

  • Active Field Hospitals: 33
  • Budget Allocated: PKR 1,000 million
  • Visits/OPDs recorded: 1,512,107
  • X-rays/Ultrasounds performed: 101,319
  • Lab tests conducted: 203,439

This sits within the Punjab Health Department's broader FY2024–25 health budget allocation of PKR 128,600 million, which also funds related initiatives such as the Clinic on Wheels mobile healthcare program.

Field Hospitals During the 2025 Flood Emergency

During the severe monsoon floods that struck Punjab in 2025, the Field Hospitals program was rapidly scaled up as part of the province's emergency disaster response. Announcing a Rs. 100 billion flood rehabilitation package, CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif reported that:

  • 100 field hospitals were deployed across flood-affected zones.
  • Over 1.2 million individuals received medical treatment through these field hospitals.
  • 2.5 million people were relocated to safe areas during the crisis.
  • Livestock vaccination campaigns were also carried out alongside human medical care in affected zones.
  • Over 1,700 teams, comprising personnel from the Pakistan Army, and the Revenue, Livestock, and Agriculture departments, conducted door-to-door surveys to identify and verify affected families.

CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the province ran a transparent, self-funded rescue and relief operation without seeking international aid, stating that the government considered flood victims as guests and remained with affected families for several weeks during the crisis.

Services Provided at Field Hospitals

  • Outpatient consultations (OPD services)
  • Basic diagnostic testing, including laboratory tests
  • X-rays and ultrasounds
  • Emergency medical treatment during disasters
  • Coordination with broader relief efforts, including livestock vaccination during flood response

Why Field Hospitals Matter

By combining a standing network of 33 active field hospitals with the ability to rapidly scale up during emergencies — as demonstrated by the deployment of 100 field hospitals during the 2025 floods — Punjab's Field Hospitals program plays a dual role: extending everyday healthcare access to underserved communities, and providing a flexible emergency response capacity when disaster strikes. Together with related initiatives like Clinic on Wheels, the program forms a key part of the province's strategy to bring healthcare closer to citizens who would otherwise face long journeys to reach a hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are Field Hospitals in Punjab?
They are temporary or semi-permanent medical facilities set up by the Punjab Health Department to provide free outpatient care, diagnostics, and emergency treatment in underserved or disaster-affected areas.

Q2. How many Field Hospitals are currently active in Punjab?
According to official Annual Development Program figures, 33 field hospitals are currently active under the standing program, in addition to the 100 field hospitals deployed during the 2025 flood emergency response.

Q3. Are the services at Field Hospitals free?
Yes, Field Hospitals provide free outpatient consultations, lab tests, X-rays/ultrasounds, and emergency treatment.

Q4. How many people benefited from Field Hospitals during the 2025 floods?
Over 1.2 million individuals received medical treatment through 100 field hospitals deployed during the flood emergency response.

Q5. How is the Field Hospitals program funded?
The standing program has a budget allocation of PKR 1,000 million, forming part of Punjab's broader FY2024–25 health budget of PKR 128,600 million; the 2025 flood emergency deployment was funded through the Rs. 100 billion flood rehabilitation package.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only, based on the official Punjab government portal, the Punjab Planning & Development Department's Annual Development Program Booklet, and public news reports on the 2025 flood response. Facility numbers and coverage may change as the program continues — contact your local district health office for the current status of field hospitals in your area.

Location: Pakistan

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