By Iftikhar Hussain Naqvi
RAWALPINDI, Nov 17 (APP): The role of an efficient financial system in ensuring timely access to healthcare has become increasingly critical across Pakistan, where treatment outcomes often depend on how swiftly and transparently financial eligibility is verified.
A cancer patient in Multan receiving uninterrupted medication due to immediate verification and rapid fund disbursement through a structured co-pay mechanism exemplifies how streamlined processes can significantly influence patient wellbeing.
Healthcare finance expert Shahzad Haider has drawn attention over the past fourteen years for his work in healthcare finance, digital transformation, and health investment. Supported by disciplined budgeting and strong audit governance, his efforts have helped bridge longstanding gaps between policy design and the practical realities faced by patients.
One of his key contributions in Pakistan is the creation of a co-payment–based patient access programme integrating government, corporate, and philanthropic funding. Designed to ensure simplicity for frontline teams and transparency for auditors, the initiative has enabled over 10,000 underprivileged patients to access life-saving therapies through clear protocols, digital verification, and swift disbursement.
“You earn trust when every rupee is traceable,” he remarked, underscoring the programme’s financial transparency.
Operational efficiency forms the backbone of such models. Haider emphasises concise eligibility criteria suited to Pakistan’s heavy out-of-pocket spending environment, setting and publicising co-pay caps to help families plan, and digitising enrolment and approvals to prevent delays. Under his leadership, structured call-centre workflows, customised software, and regular dashboard reviews have cut approval times from weeks to days.
Hospitals implementing this model typically begin with a single therapy line, such as oncology, and track key indicators including days-to-therapy, audit compliance, and stockout frequency to reduce bottlenecks and improve procurement. Provincial health departments can link procurement to verified access outcomes rather than volume, creating incentives for improved time-to-therapy, while corporate donors are encouraged by transparent, data-driven results rather than visibility alone.
Haider’s strong financial grounding has ensured the sustainability of these initiatives. With extensive multinational experience, he introduced standardised reporting frameworks in place of fragmented spreadsheets, supporting timely decision-making. His focus on KPIs, governance, and audit readiness has proven vital for access programmes seeking continued funding and credibility.
Expanding his expertise regionally, Haider now serves as a strategic consultant in the Middle East, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda. His work includes identifying investment opportunities, shaping regulatory incentives, and supporting frameworks that promote healthcare advancement and industrial competitiveness. He collaborates closely with ministries and economic zones to align proposals with national diversification and sustainability goals.
Beyond his professional engagements, Haider has remained committed to philanthropic initiatives aimed at improving public health and community welfare. He has helped strengthen prevention programmes, improve transparency in healthcare initiatives, and support sustainable funding models for social impact organisations. Motivated by empathy and a commitment to equitable care, he continues to apply his expertise to uplift underserved communities.
For Pakistani policymakers, Haider outlines three core principles to expand access effectively: keep eligibility and co-payment rules simple enough to verify in a single visit; build basic digital systems before introducing advanced analytics; and maintain stable reporting of three to five core metrics for at least a year.
His credentials as a Fellow Chartered Management Accountant and his integrity in financial leadership reinforce the long-term viability of these practices.
As Pakistan continues to strengthen its health system, experts stress the need for models that can be replicated without requiring exceptional resources. Through disciplined financial design, robust governance, and clear evidence, Shahzad Haider’s work demonstrates how patient access can move from isolated pilot projects to scalable national policy, ensuring essential medicines reach those who rely on them most.
