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ISLAMABAD, Jan 15 (APP):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 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.
The 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.
according to details, CDWP reviewed and approved a revised health sector project titled “ Sehat Sahulat Program ” 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.
Under 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.
On the occasion, Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed the government’s resolve to deliver accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare as a fundamental right of citizens.
Recalling the scheme’s origins, the minister said the programme was launched in 2015 by former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif as the “Prime Minister National Health Program” 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.
He 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.
The committee approved a revised health sector project titled “Establishment of Jinnah Hospital (Polyclinic (PGMI)-II) at G-11/3, Islamabad,” 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.
Under the revised scope, the hospital’s 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.
Reviewing 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.
The 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.
Two revised projects were approved by the forum, including “Development 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)” worth Rs. 7,484.251 million, and “Strengthening Points of Entry and Border Health Services Pakistan, Karachi (Earlier Directorate of Central Health Establishments)” worth Rs. 2,864.982 million.
While 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 “Strengthening and Upgradation of Cardiology Department and Others at Federal Government Polyclinic (PGMI) Hospital, Islamabad,” worth Rs. 2,174.930 million, was also approved by the CDWP after detailed discussion.