QUETTA, Pakistan – In a major push to overhaul the province’s struggling healthcare system, Balochistan’s Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar has announced a wide-ranging reform plan aimed at eliminating political interference and restoring public trust through science-backed, merit-based policies.
Speaking at the provincial assembly, Kakar said the reforms will centre on primary healthcare—covering immunisation, maternal and child health, nutrition, and sanitation—in partnership with organisations like UNICEF. He highlighted the alarmingly low immunisation rate of just 37.7%, far below Punjab’s 88%, as a key concern.
Kakar asserted that the health department has finally been freed from pressure groups and union politics, allowing space for long-overdue progress. As part of this reset, three hospitals run under public-private partnership (PPP) models are already functional in far-flung areas, with four more in the pipeline.
Despite having 1,488 health facilities and 7,500 medical staff, the province faces a severe workforce shortage, with 13,000 posts vacant and critical delays in staff promotions. Kakar warned that 8,000 more nurses will be needed by 2030 to meet future demands.
He also assured that qualified male and female doctors are now serving in remote districts where medical coverage was once nearly impossible.
The roadmap signals a strong political will to transform Balochistan’s healthcare landscape—focusing on accessibility, accountability, and sustainability.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.