Farooq Awan

The federal government has approved and recommended several major initiatives aimed at strengthening social protection and improving health services across Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, according to the Monthly Development Update for November 2025 issued by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives.

The projects, pursued under the public sector development agenda for October 2025, aim to expand essential services, enhance provincial capacities and address critical gaps in primary healthcare and social welfare systems.

The report states that a large-scale social protection initiative worth Rs64.40 billion has been recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval. The project focuses on strengthening provincial social protection systems, with a particular emphasis on maternal, newborn, and child health services for vulnerable and low-income households.

According to the document, the initiative aims to improve access to essential health and nutrition services in rural Sindh, where gaps in service delivery and limited institutional capacity pose significant challenges. The programme seeks to expand social protection coverage, improve coordination among key institutions and enhance support for households facing multidimensional poverty and health vulnerabilities.

In addition to the social welfare initiative, the CDWP approved three major health-related projects worth a combined total of Rs9.96 billion. These projects are designed to improve service delivery, reduce disease burden and strengthen provincial health systems.

One approved project focuses on improving paediatric emergency care by enhancing emergency response systems, upgrading medical facilities and supporting training programmes for healthcare providers to ensure timely and effective treatment for children requiring urgent care.

Another project aims to expand district-level services for diabetes prevention and management. The report highlights that diabetes is a growing public health concern, particularly in areas with limited access to preventive care and early diagnosis. The initiative seeks to strengthen early detection, improve treatment protocols, expand screening services and support community-level awareness programmes to reduce complications associated with unmanaged diabetes.

The third major health initiative focuses on improving access to insulin and strengthening diabetes-related services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project aims to expand insulin availability, promote regular patient monitoring and enhance public awareness of diabetes management. According to the report, the initiative will support provincial health authorities in improving service delivery in remote and underserved areas where access to insulin and diagnostic facilities remains limited.

The Monthly Development Update notes that these projects form part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen provincial service delivery systems and expand access to essential health and social services. The report emphasises that the approved and recommended initiatives aim to improve welfare outcomes for vulnerable communities by expanding health coverage, supporting maternal and child well-being and improving the capacity of provincial institutions to deliver effective social services.

The document further highlights that the health and social protection initiatives approved in October align with national development priorities, including reducing poverty, improving public health indicators and supporting provincial governments in achieving sectoral targets. The projects are also expected to create new employment opportunities within the health and social welfare sectors, contributing to long-term human capital development.

According to the Planning Ministry, these new initiatives are being implemented alongside broader provincial development programmes aimed at improving service delivery, strengthening local governance and enhancing public sector capacity. By recommending and approving targeted investments in health and social protection, the federal government aims to address regional disparities and improve access to essential services for vulnerable populations.

The report concludes that the approved initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening social safety nets, improving public health infrastructure, and ensuring that provincial departments have the necessary resources to deliver timely and effective services to citizens across Pakistan.

Credit: INP-WealthPk