ISLAMABAD: According to a press release published by the international financial institution, the World Bank has authorized $258 million to strengthen primary health care systems in Pakistan and expedite national efforts toward universal health coverage.

Pakistan Gets $258 Million from World Bank for Healthcare

It selected three areas of emphasis for the initiative's healthcare reforms: healthcare coverage and quality of critical services, governance and accountability, and healthcare funding.

The statement elaborated on these areas, noting that the program prioritized healthcare coverage and the quality of essential services in order to ensure the availability of adequate personnel, supplies, and medications, as well as to improve patient referral systems in order to expedite emergency and higher-level care.

Likewise, the emphasis on governance and accountability was intended to increase oversight and administration of primary healthcare services via real-time monitoring of available supplies and vital medications.

The statement elaborated that activities in this area included establishing a central information platform for provincial authorities to identify gaps in healthcare service delivery across public and commercial establishments.

In addition, the goal of healthcare finance was to strengthen the financial management of primary healthcare centres for improved expenditure tracking and budget forecasting in order to support the delivery of high-quality healthcare services.

The Director of Country Operations for Pakistan at the World Bank, Najy Benhassine, emphasized that strengthening local health systems is vital. He further stated that this program is fundamental to developing the country's human capital and enhancing the health and nutrition of its residents.