3,237,660 families enrolled, 117,726 families received treatment under SSP: Economic Survey

ISLAMABAD: A total of 3,237,660 families have been enrolled in the Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP) and more than 117,726 families have been treated for various illnesses from 157 empanelled hospitals across Pakistan by February 2019.

According to Economic Survey 2018-19 released here, the program is being implemented in a phased manner and in the first phase, the program is being implemented in 38 districts of Pakistan covering 3.2 million families.

The objective is to lead a path towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Pakistan, with special focus towards those living below the poverty line in the country.

Cumulative health expenditures by federal and provincial governments during 2018-19 (Jul-Mar) increased to Rs 203.74 billion which is 3.29 percent higher than corresponding period of previous year, which was recorded at Rs 197.25 billion.

The current expenditure increased by 19.84 percent from Rs 149.97 billion to Rs 179.72 billion while of development expenditure decreased by 49.19 percent from Rs 47.28 billion to Rs 24.03 billion.

A series of programs and projects are on track in Pakistan to improve health status of the people and to reduce burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases while vertical programs have been devolved to the provinces.

By the year 2018, the number of public sector hospitals has increased to 1,279, Basic Health Units (BHUs) improved to 5,527, Rural Health Centers (RHCs) were increased to 686 and dispensaries to 5,671. These facilities together with 220,829 registered doctors, 22,595 registered dentists and 108,474 registered nurses bring the current ratio of one doctor for 963 persons, 9,413 persons per dentist and availability of one hospital bed for 1,608 persons.

The government is all set to expand Prime Minister's National Health Program (PMNHP) all over the country till 2022, to provide social health protection against most of chronic and debilitating diseases and health conditions to all families living below the poverty line of US$ 2 per day.

The PMNHP envisaged to reach-out under the second phase, to 14 million families across the country and costing Rs. 33.63 billion. The program would be expanded across the country within five years, which has started from January 1, 2018, and would be completed by December 31, 2022.

Prime Minister’s Program for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis was launched to bear treatment of hepatitis B and C for patients who are unable to meet the expense of the treatment due to high cost of medicines and diagnostics along with promoting preventive interventions.

Polio Eradication Initiative Program Pakistan has made important progress towards eradications polio in the country. Case numbers are at the lowest and the immunity gaps continued to decline.

Expanded Program for Immunization Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) Program has successfully provided immunization to children against the seven vaccine-preventable diseases under one year of age like childhood tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, neonatal tetanus, measles and hepatitis B. New vaccines like penta-valent vaccine have been introduced with the help of United Nations Children Fund’s (UNICEF).

The government has shown its commitment to overcome vicious cycle of malnutrition and has pin-pointed stunting as the major setback in the development of the nation. Pakistan Multi-sectoral Nutrition Strategy (PMNS) has been formulated following the bottom up approach to fill gaps in planning and implementation.

Maternal and Child Health Program Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program was initiated to improve women's and children's health conditions through better service delivery and supported health systems.

The program aspires to provide better access to Mother and Child health and Family Planning services with provision of comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) services in 275 hospitals and health facilities, provision of basic EmONC services in 550 health facilities and family planning services in all health outlets.

Pakistan has shown improvement in the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of 62 per thousand from 66 per thousand in 2015.