A high-level World Bank delegation met with Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal to review ongoing measures to strengthen Pakistan’s health system and discuss operational challenges in delivering services nationwide. The meeting focused on ensuring effective implementation of the Health Support Program and aligning priorities for near-term action.
Minister Mustafa Kamal urged the World Bank to extend the Health Support Program by one year to secure full and effective roll-out of planned reforms and service delivery enhancements. At the Bank’s request, he immediately instructed the reactivation of the Inter-Ministerial Health and Population Council to improve coordination across federal agencies.
The minister also called for an interprovincial ministerial meeting to be convened this week to ensure policy-level consultation and coherent implementation across provinces. A related meeting on Universal Health Coverage was likewise scheduled for the same week to advance common objectives under the Health Support Program.
Emphasising rapid expansion of service access, Mustafa Kamal highlighted the need to accelerate the geographic reach of health facilities so more communities can benefit from public health investments. Strengthening primary and preventive services was presented as central to the program’s objectives.
Under the Global Financing Facility, the minister directed the nomination of a focal person responsible for women, children and adolescent health and nutrition to ensure dedicated oversight and coordination with partners supporting those priorities within the Health Support Program.
The World Bank proposed convening a donor conference within the next two to three months to spotlight the minister’s two to three year vision, attract investment and identify partnership opportunities in Pakistan’s health sector. The federal health ministry welcomed the proposal and assured full support for organising the event.
Both sides agreed to deepen regular communication and information exchange between the ministry and the World Bank so that mutual cooperation becomes more effective and responsive. The discussions underscored a shared commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s health system through focused implementation of the Health Support Program.
