KARACHI: Punjab’s health sector reforms were discussed as part of a knowledge-sharing event where the province offered its support to share its experience and lessons with other provinces.
The event, titled “Health Financing Reforms: Learning & Knowledge Sharing,” was organised by the Aga Khan University (AKU) and was inaugurated and chaired by Sindh Health and Population Welfare Minister Dr Azra Pechuho, with Punjab Health and Population Secretary Nadia Saqib delivering the inaugural remarks on the province’s reform agenda.
In her plenary presentation, Ms Saqib outlined how the province had shifted from financing posts and buildings to paying for verified services delivered to citizens. She said primary healthcare facilities had been outsourced as Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics, operating round the clock with a doctor, lady health visitor and a midwife, while the rural health centres were being run as Maryam Nawaz Hospitals offering specialist-led services. More than 16,000 community health inspectors were taking services to the doorstep, with 115.8 million people registered by name, she added.
Ms Saqib said reforms had been given a statutory foundation through the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Services Act, 2025, and payments were released only for services verified through the health information management system (HIMS) and an independent directorate of monitoring and evaluation.
Punjab was represented on the panel by Punjab Family Planning Programme Project Director retired Capt Dr Usman Ali Khan.
Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2026
