Every year, World Health Day provides a timely opportunity for nations to reflect on the progress in advancing health equity and renew their commitment to building resilient and inclusive health systems. In 2025, as the global community intensifies its efforts toward universal health coverage (UHC), Pakistan stands at the forefront, reaffirming its dedication to strengthening primary health care (PHC) and embracing digital transformation to meet the evolving needs of its population.

Embracing Digital Transformation in Health

Pakistan has taken bold strides toward digitalizing its health infrastructure, recognizing technology's transformative potential in improving service delivery, continuity of care, and patient safety. Furthering these efforts, the country piloted Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and a one-patient-one-ID system in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), setting a foundation for nationwide integration.

Looking ahead, Pakistan envisions a digitally integrated healthcare system that includes the nationwide rollout of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) to digitize health records and streamline information management. Implementing a "One Patient, One ID" model is expected to enhance care continuity and reduce fragmentation across various health system levels. Also, establishing hospital bed registries and structured referral systems will improve coordination between primary and tertiary care facilities. Ensuring the availability of essential diagnostics and medicines at the point of care remains a top priority to enhance service delivery and meet patients' needs efficiently.

Reinventing Primary Health Care

Pakistan firmly believes that primary health care is the cornerstone of UHC. Strengthening PHC supports routine services and acts as a first line of defense in maternal and child health, disease surveillance, and emergency preparedness. To realize this vision, Pakistan has developed a contextualized Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS) that is being rolled out at the community level, primarily through its vast Lady Health Workers (LHWs) Program. Lady Health Workers Program: is a Community-Based Backbone launched in 1994; the LHWP has grown into one of the most extensive community-based health programs in the world. With approximately 90,000 LHWs, they deliver services to around 115 million women and children, serving as key links between communities and health systems, providing Family planning and contraceptive use education, Antenatal, natal, and postnatal care. Nutrition and hygiene promotion, Immunization support (including polio, malaria, TB, and routine under-five immunization), Disease prevention, and public health awareness.

To support their role in delivering EPHS, the LHW curriculum has been revised to align with UHC goals, and regular training modules are implemented to ensure updated knowledge and practices. Counseling cards cover 22 family care practices from conception to 8 years of age, emphasizing men's involvement in child development and care.

Tackling the Nutrition Crisis

Nutrition remains a significant public health challenge in Pakistan. An estimated 3% of GDP is lost annually due to malnutrition. Nearly half of Pakistan's children and mothers suffer from undernutrition, impeding human development and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Pakistan has initiated a comprehensive package of nutrition interventions:

• Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) integrated into antenatal care
• Fortification of staple foods
• Wheat flour with iron and folic acid
• Edible oils with vitamins A and D
• Vitamin A supplementation campaigns for children aged 6–59 months
• Promotion of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices
• Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM)
• Strengthening nutrition data through integration into the District Health Information System (DHIS)

Strengthening Governance and Policy Frameworks

Digital transformation and efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) require strong policies and safeguards to ensure long-term success and equity. In this regard, Pakistan is actively working toward establishing comprehensive national and provincial digital health policies that foster innovation and uphold essential principles such as data privacy, ethical standards, and the protection of health workers' rights. These policies aim to guarantee equitable access to health services across all segments of society, including marginalized and vulnerable populations. Simultaneously, the government is focusing on coordinating health investments across federal and provincial levels, expanding healthcare coverage to underserved and remote areas, and building resilient health infrastructure capable of effectively responding to emergencies and outbreaks.

The Path Forward: A Collective Commitment

On World Health Day 2025, Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to building a future where health systems are proactive, prepared, and centered around the needs of people. The country envisions a healthcare landscape where technology is a powerful enabler, empowering healthcare providers and recipients to deliver and access more efficient, informed, and equitable care. Strengthening primary health care remains at the core of this vision, serving as the frontline defense against disease, health disparities, and public health threats. Pakistan is determined to ensure that every citizen—regardless of geography, income, or background—has access to safe, high-quality, and affordable healthcare, leaving no one behind in pursuing health and well-being.

Our Commitment to Health and Equity

Let us move forward with a shared resolve to #Empower communities #Embrace innovation #Strengthen health systems #Protect every health worker and citizen.

Stay healthy. Stay empowered. Let's build a digitally advanced, community-centered, and healthier Pakistan together.

Acknowledgement: Author would like to acknowledge the support received from Director General Health.

By ISID Emerging Leader, Dr. Nadia Noreen

Author is a medical graduate, Public Health specialist, and Epidemiologist with focus on international health regulations, global health security disease surveillance, and health systems strengthening.