Pakistan's 'Universal Health Coverage' score has improved significantly, which district has the highest score?

Islamabad: Universal Health Coverage Day is celebrated on December 12 worldwide. Its aim is to provide health facilities to people worldwide without discrimination. Pakistan is also celebrating Universal Health Coverage Day today.

The Ministry of Health has released the UHC Index regarding treatment facilities in Pakistan. The Coordinator for Health, Dr. Mukhtar Bharath, has announced the latest results of UHC for Pakistan.

According to Dr. Mukhtar Bharath, the UHC Coverage Index has been announced with the technical assistance of the British government. At the national level, the Universal Health Coverage Service had a score of 40 in 2015, improved to 53.9 in 2023, and increased appreciably since 2015.

Islamabad scored the highest among all provinces and territories at 63.9, followed by Punjab with a score of 55.5, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 51, Sindh with 50.7, and Balochistan with a score of 38.4.

Overall, 45 districts in Pakistan have a UHC Service Coverage Index score of less than 40, 57 districts have a score between 50 and 59, only 11 districts in the country have achieved a UHC Service Coverage Index score of 60 or more, with Jhelum district leading the way in the reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health category with an overall score of 78.4.

Japan makes a big announcement to help eradicate polio in Pakistan

This score is a major step towards Pakistan’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Dr. Mukhtar Bharath says that 13.4 million Pakistanis may fall into poverty annually due to high medical expenses, so access to health facilities for everyone is our agenda and mission, and the government is committed to ensuring universal health coverage.

He said that investing in universal health coverage is an important step towards creating a just society, where every citizen has access to quality health facilities. The government is grateful to the Government of the United Kingdom and the British High Commission for their cooperation in the health sector.