CM reviews Punjab’s digital health census, orders expansion of healthcare services

LAHORE, Jul 04 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was briefed on Saturday that Punjab had become the first province in Pakistan to undertake comprehensive digital health and demographic mapping of its population, with the country’s largest-ever digital health census nearing completion.

Chairing a meeting of the Health and Population Department here, the chief minister reviewed progress on the Community Health Inspectors Programme. She was informed that health and demographic profiling of more than 85 percent of the population had been completed in 18 districts, while five districts had achieved 100 percent coverage and another five had crossed the 95 per cent mark.

The meeting was told that digital health and demographic profiles of 94.3 million citizens had been registered. Every household across Punjab had also been assigned a unique digital identification number through the province’s digital mapping initiative.

Under the programme, 14,300 Community Health Inspectors visited households to collect health, demographic, socio-economic, drinking water and disability-related data. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also reviewed the programme’s digital dashboard, which consolidates the information for evidence-based planning and service delivery.

The CM said reliable data was the foundation of effective public policy, adding that healthcare services would now be planned and delivered on the basis of authentic digital information rather than estimates.

“Without accurate data, it is impossible to determine where patients are located or how many medicines and healthcare facilities are required,” she said, adding that the initiative would help identify long-neglected health challenges and improve resource allocation across the province.

During the briefing, the meeting was informed that cardiac catheterisation laboratories (Cath Labs) would be made operational in 16 districts by December. Five Cath Labs are already functional, while facilities in Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar and Layyah have been directed to become operational at the earliest. The CM sought weekly performance reports on all functional Cath Labs.

CM Maryam Nawaz also directed authorities to further improve the home delivery system for medicines and launch a comprehensive population management campaign to address the province’s growing population. She proposed the “Maryam Nawaz Sehat Mand Gharana” programme to link citizens directly with healthcare centres, reducing unnecessary hospital visits. Patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis, cancer and malnutrition would receive digital follow-up and continuous monitoring under the integrated system.

The meeting was further informed that a modern disaster recovery site would be established to ensure the security and protection of the province’s digital health data.

The CM directed that Phase-II Cath Labs in eight additional districts be completed by the end of July. She also appreciated the anti-polio teams after environmental samples collected from 19 districts tested negative for the poliovirus, paying tribute to health workers for their tireless efforts in the campaign against polio.