ISLAMABAD
\nThe Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Thursday approved five major health sector projects under the Uraan Pakistan social sector initiative to promote people-centric development by expanding affordable healthcare, reducing catastrophic medical costs, and protecting vulnerable families from financial hardship.
\nThe CDWP meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal. Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Mustafa Kamal attended the forum to support and justify the projects of his Ministry.
\nThe CDWP approved three projects costing Rs 12.524 billion, while two additional major projects worth Rs 56.823 billion were recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for consideration.
\naccording to details, CDWP reviewed and approved a revised health sector project titled \u201c Sehat Sahulat Program \u201d at a cost of Rs. 40,188.216 million , and recommended it to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final consideration.
\nUnder the revised framework, the Sehat Sahulat Program is being implemented through the development budget on a universal basis in ICT, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan to expand coverage of secondary and priority inpatient care.
\nOn the occasion, Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed the government\u2019s resolve to deliver accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare as a fundamental right of citizens.
\nRecalling the scheme\u2019s origins, the minister said the programme was launched in 2015 by former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif as the \u201cPrime Minister National Health Program\u201d to provide 100 percent health coverage to poor and deserving families, adding that its later renaming and expansion to affluent segments in some regions led to resource misuse and limited access for genuinely needy households.
\nHe directed that the programme be restored to its original name, stressing that public funds must remain focused on protecting vulnerable populations and strengthening the social safety net under Uraan Pakistan.
\nThe committee approved a revised health sector project titled \u201cEstablishment of Jinnah Hospital (Polyclinic (PGMI)-II) at G-11\/3, Islamabad,\u201d at a total cost of Rs. 15,948.070 million , and recommended it to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.
\nUnder the revised scope, the hospital\u2019s bed capacity has been increased from 311 to 400 to better meet growing healthcare needs in the federal capital. The project also includes the induction of modern IT systems, enhanced building and external development works, a substantial increase in biomedical equipment and furniture, and escalation provisions to address cost adjustments, including the imposition of GST on equipment.
\nReviewing the project, Ahsan Iqbal expressed serious concern over the significant escalation in project cost and emphasized the need for realistic, evidence-based costing at the PC-I stage.
\nThe Minister directed the Ministry of National Health Services to include a mosque in the approved project cost, emphasizing that essential facilities should be planned without extra financial burden.
\nTwo revised projects were approved by the forum, including \u201cDevelopment of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System (IDSRS) with Public Health Laboratories Network (PHLN) and Workforce Development for Transition of Field Epidemiology Training & Laboratory Program (FELTP)\u201d worth Rs. 7,484.251 million, and \u201cStrengthening Points of Entry and Border Health Services Pakistan, Karachi (Earlier Directorate of Central Health Establishments)\u201d worth Rs. 2,864.982 million.
\nWhile deliberating on the IDSRS project, Ahsan Iqbal categorically directed the Ministry of Health that this approval constituted the final revision and that no further revisions would be entertained by the forum. Another health sector project titled \u201cStrengthening and Upgradation of Cardiology Department and Others at Federal Government Polyclinic (PGMI) Hospital, Islamabad,\u201d worth Rs. 2,174.930 million, was also approved by the CDWP after detailed discussion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Thursday approved five major health sector projects under the Uraan Pakistan social sector initiative to promote people-centric development by expanding affordable healthcare, reducing catastrophic medical costs, and protecting vulnerable families from financial hardship. The CDWP meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":384622,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-525880","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n