FOR too long, the diagnosis of Pakistan’s healthcare system has remained static: underfunded, overburdened and neglected. The narrative has been one of stagnation, with public health spending stubbornly hovering around less than 1% of GDP and indicators lagging woefully behind regional countries. Yet, amidst these persistent challenges, a new chapter is being written. While the scale of crisis remains immense, recent times have witnessed a palpable shift, marked by a series of bold reforms and initiatives from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSR&C) that offer a genuine ray of hope for nation’s health landscape.

The most significant sign of change is a fundamental philosophical shift from a “sick-care” system to a responsive healthcare system. The government is actively moving away from a system solely reliant on hospitals to treat illness, towards a comprehensive framework emphasizing vaccination, clean water, and nationwide digital health records. This is not mere rhetoric; it is being translated into action through a concerted push to strengthen primary healthcare (PHC), the bedrock of any functional health system.

Highest level health authorities and decision makers in the capital and the provinces have reaffirmed their commitment to revitalizing PHC as the cornerstone for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This commitment is underpinned by the new Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS), being rolled out at the district level. This focus on the front lines is where the first glimmers of improvement are being seen. The Economic Survey 2025-26 reports notable progress, with........

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