The Provincial Minister for Health, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khaliq ur Rehman, attended a two-day learning event held at Islamabad, titled “Strengthening Primary Healthcare for Universal Health Coverage and Equity in Pakistan.”
On this occasion the Provincial Health Minister stated that the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is committed to establishing a strong, resilient, and people-centered primary healthcare system to ensure the provision of quality health services to every citizen without discrimination. He emphasized that in view of rapid population growth and the double burden of disease, primary healthcare has assumed critical importance. An effective and well-functioning primary healthcare system can significantly reduce the burden of disease and, through early diagnosis and treatment, minimize complications of chronic illnesses and reduce overall healthcare costs.
The Minister highlighted that several practical measures are being undertaken to strengthen the primary healthcare system. These include adopting the Essential Package of Health Services as the foundation for policy development, delegating financial powers to the Basic Health Unit level with authority to retain revenue for prompt and need-based decision-making, promoting community participation in decision-making, contract-based recruitment of medical officers and paramedical staff, conducting regular review meetings, strengthening the Lady Health Worker Program, and digitalization of the Human Resource Management Information System with integration of service delivery-related data.
He further stated that financial inefficiencies and irrational expenditures are being reviewed to ensure effective utilization of resources. The introduction of outpatient department services under the Sehat Card Program is another important initiative that will positively impact primary healthcare services and provide greater relief to the public.
The event was also attended by Director General Health Services Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr. Shaheen Afridi, along with other concerned officials of the KP Health Department.