The World Bank (WB) on Monday approved an assistance package of US $ 100 million for the Punjab Health Sector Reform Project’s implementation. It would focus on enhancing the number of people with access to basic health services, particularly in the low performing districts of Punjab.
“Punjab holds the key to Pakistan’s progress towards attaining the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) as it constitutes 60 percent of Pakistan’s population”, said Pakistan World Bank Country Director Rachid Benmessaoud.
“This programme would help the Punjab government implement its Health Sector Strategy by building the capacity and systems to strengthen accountability and stewardship in the Health Department,” Rachid added.
Punjab’s overall health outcomes are comparable to the national average, and slightly better than other provinces, but the pace of change remains slow and uneven with significant disparities among regions, rural and urban areas, and by economic status.
For example, the average exclusive breast-feeding duration is only 0.9 months in Punjab, compared to the national average of 3.2 months. Immunization coverage also remains low; only one in three children aged 12-23 months are fully immunized (34.6%).
The Punjab government is keen towards human development for a productive workforce due to its increasing youth population. It said it had included health in a holistic Punjab Health Sector Strategy 2012-2020, which involves governance, accountability reforms and strengthening health systems.
“Punjab has gradually improved maternal and child-outcomes and for further improvement, addressing the huge burden of malnutrition among women and children is crucial. Stunting occurs among 39 percent children under five”, said Dr. Inaam-Ul-Haq, the project’s task team leader, adding that the project would aim “to improve the health service providers’ capacity to deliver nutrition interventions at the facility and community level.”
The project comprises four components and its results would specifically measure improvements in three health service indicators: fully immunized children 12-23 months of age; use of skilled birth attendants and use of modern birth-spacing methods.