ISLAMABAD: The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended Pakistan’s progress toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), with the agency’s representative in Islamabad calling for continued partner and donor support to help the country further strengthen its health system.
In a report released on World Health Day, WHO Representative to Pakistan Dr. Dapeng Luo highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding quality health services, noting that Pakistan has made “notable milestones” in improving national health indicators.
Last week, WHO hosted a dialogue under the theme “Health: It’s on the Government,” bringing together senior officials including the Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health, Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath.
Representatives from the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, the Benazir Income Support Program, the Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP), and other national institutions also participated.
According to the report, Pakistan’s UHC Index has risen significantly, moving from 40 in 2015 to 52.7 in 2022.
Dr. Luo praised the government’s efforts, saying the achievements reflect “Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its health system and ensuring better care for its people.”
He encouraged continued collaboration with partners to help the country reach its 2030 UHC target, emphasizing the importance of sustained investment and coordinated action.
The dialogue also showcased major national achievements, including the successful expansion of the Sehat Sahulat Program, which now provides health coverage to 190 million people.
Launched in 2016 to support families below the poverty line, SSP was expanded between 2020 and 2021 to move Pakistan closer to universal health coverage, the report noted.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing UHC as a national priority, highlighting the importance of accessible, equitable, reliable, and high-quality services for all citizens.
National guidelines launched
The report further detailed the launch of comprehensive national guidelines and training program designed to strengthen reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health across the country.
“In Pakistan, around 4 million pregnant women and newborns receive health care services from the public and private sectors each year,” the report said.
Dr. Luo underscored the importance of continued progress in this area, stating: “Improving the lives of these mothers and newborns is essential to ensuring good health for all. No real sustainable development can be achieved without healthy mothers and newborns.”
The report also noted that International Universal Health Coverage Day aims to promote the need for strong and resilient health systems that “work for everyone, no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they have.”
