Minister terms investment in universal health coverage a big challenge.

ISLAMABAD -- Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel on Monday said maintaining progress towards the universal health coverage (UHC) was challenging but was the first and foremost political choice.

'Investing in UHC is the only way to guarantee socioeconomic well-being of our communities in the context of health. I want to appreciate provincial/federating area health departments and health development partners for their extensive support and contribution towards UHC,' he said in a statement which was read at an event to share the experience of developing the UHC in Pakistan.

The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) and the Aga Khan University (AKU). Minister of State for Health Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani and WHO representative Dr Awad Mataria were the chief guests. The event was attended by representatives from the federal and provincial health departments, AKU, UN agencies, health development partners and other stakeholders.

UHC means that people should have access to the full range of quality health services, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. It covers the full continuum of essential health services from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care.

Says people should have access to quality health services without financial hardship

Dr Malani said the government was committed to helping people of Pakistan in maintaining and improving their health to include them among the healthier nations in the region.

'The development of national and provincial/federating area 'essential packages of health services (EPHS)' is an important milestone in the healthcare reforms journey for Pakistan as it is a...