A high-level World Bank delegation met with Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal to discuss ongoing efforts and challenges in strengthening Pakistan’s health system. During the meeting the minister requested a one-year extension of the World Bank program to ensure effective implementation of the National Health Support Program and to maintain momentum on reforms.
To improve coordination, Mustafa Kamal instructed the immediate reactivation of the Inter-Ministerial Health and Population Council at the World Bank’s request. He also called for an interprovincial ministerial meeting this week to secure policy-level consultation and a meeting on universal health coverage within the same timeframe to align federal and provincial actions.
The minister emphasized the need to rapidly expand the reach of health service delivery across the country and directed that a focal person be named under the Global Financing Facility to oversee women, children and adolescent health and nutrition priorities. These steps are intended to accelerate on-the-ground improvements and ensure targeted support for vulnerable groups.
The World Bank delegation proposed organizing a donor conference within the next two to three months to showcase the federal minister’s two to three year vision, draw investment and identify partnership opportunities in Pakistan’s health sector. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal welcomed the proposal, pledged full support from the ministry for the conference and assured active cooperation in mobilizing stakeholders.
Both sides agreed to strengthen close coordination and regular information exchange between the Ministry of Health and the World Bank to make bilateral cooperation more effective and to drive measurable progress in Pakistan’s health system.
