Milestone Announcement
We are pleased to share an important achievement in advancing healthcare accessibility! On October 24, 2024, the Department of Health of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province signed a contract with Pakistan’s State Life Insurance Corporation for the second phase of the Social Health Protection Initiative (SHPI), funded by the German Government through KfW Development Bank.
This event was marked by the presence of KP’s Acting Minister/Advisor for Health, the Director General for Health, and the Secretary of Health, all of whom expressed appreciation for KfW’s continued support in strengthening primary healthcare through an innovative Out-Patient Care (OPC) scheme.
Through this project, m4h is honored to support the Departments of Health in KP and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) by providing technical assistance for Pakistan’s first OPC/Primary Health Care (PHC) pilot. This new initiative complements the country’s Inpatient Care Scheme (IPC), addressing high out-of-pocket expenses for outpatient services—often a major burden for low-income families—by reinforcing PHC as the first point of access within the health system.
Highlights of the OPC/PHC Initiative
- Strengthens continuity and coordination of care between patients and primary care providers.
- Reinforces primary healthcare as a cornerstone for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
- Ensures empaneled healthcare facilities meet quality standards and receive support for continual improvement.
- Alleviates pressure on higher-level health facilities by providing timely, effective primary-level care.
We are grateful to be part of this transformational journey with the Departments of Health in KP and GB and with KfW Development Bank, working toward affordable, quality healthcare for all in Pakistan.
