Govt approves five major health projects under URAAN Pakistan

January 16, 2026 (MLN):  The Government of Pakistan has  approved major health sector initiatives under URAAN Pakistan, as the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) cleared five key projects aimed at expanding affordable healthcare, reducing catastrophic medical expenses, and strengthening social protection for vulnerable populations.

Of the total portfolio, three projects costing Rs12.524 billion were approved by the forum, while two large-scale schemes worth Rs. 56.82bn were recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final consideration, according to a press release issued.

The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal, while Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Mustafa Kamal attended the session to present and defend the projects of his ministry.

A major decision of the forum was the approval of the revised Sehat Sahulat Program, estimated at Rs40.18bn, which was referred to ECNEC for final approval. Under the URAAN Pakistan Social Sector Initiative, the program will be implemented on a universal basis in Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, providing inpatient health insurance coverage to permanent resident families as per NADRA records.

The scheme aims to reduce out-of-pocket hospitalization expenses by up to 60% and enhance financial protection for low-income households.

The chair directed that the program be restored to its original focus on poor and deserving families to prevent misuse of public resources.

The CDWP also approved and referred the revised Jinnah Hospital (Polyclinic-II) project at G-11/3, Islamabad to ECNEC at a cost of Rs. 15.94bn.

The project includes increasing bed capacity from 311 to 400, induction of modern IT systems, expanded biomedical equipment, solar energy solutions, HVAC operations, and sustainability measures, with the completion timeline extended to June 2027.

Concern was raised over cost escalation, with instructions for stronger planning and evidence-based costing at the initial stages.

In addition, the forum approved the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System (IDSRS) with Public Health Laboratories Network and workforce development for FELTP worth Rs7.48bn, and Strengthening Points of Entry and Border Health Services in Karachi worth Rs2.86bn.

Another project, Strengthening and Upgradation of the Cardiology Department and allied services at Federal Government Polyclinic (PGMI) Hospital, Islamabad, costing Rs. 2.17bn, was also cleared.

Reiterating the URAAN Pakistan vision, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that public sector health investments must result in accessible, timely, and quality healthcare for underprivileged citizens, ensuring that people-centric development remains at the core of national policy.

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