PIMA National Health Policy

The PIMA National Health Policy 2020–2025 presents the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association’s vision for a stronger, more integrated and equitable healthcare system in Pakistan. The policy identifies major challenges affecting the country’s health system and proposes strategic priorities for improving health outcomes, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, promoting prevention, and ensuring better access to quality healthcare.

The policy emphasizes collaboration among government, private and non-governmental healthcare sectors, increased investment in health, evidence-based policymaking, disease prevention, human resource development, medical education, research, and health advocacy.

Key Highlights

Health as a fundamental right: Advocates recognition of health as a fundamental right for all Pakistanis.
Stronger health investment: Calls for increased public-sector health spending and greater allocation for prevention, nutrition, rehabilitation and research.
Integrated healthcare system: Proposes stronger collaboration between government, private and NGO sectors for effective healthcare delivery.
Maternal and child health: Prioritizes reproductive health, child nutrition, vaccination and reduction of maternal and infant mortality.
Prevention and primary healthcare: Strengthens BHUs, MCHCs and community health services with greater emphasis on health education and disease prevention.
Control of major diseases: Focuses on non-communicable diseases, tobacco use, hepatitis, tuberculosis, malaria, polio and other preventable conditions.
Clean water and sanitation: Highlights safe water supply, sanitation and environmental health as essential components of public health.
Strengthening DHQ hospitals: Recommends upgrading district hospitals with modern diagnostic facilities, specialist services, rehabilitation and mental health care.
Affordable medicines: Calls for improved availability and affordability of essential and life-saving medicines and stronger pharmaceutical regulation.
Human resource development: Emphasizes long-term planning for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technologists, physiotherapists, nutritionists and other healthcare professionals.
Research and innovation: Promotes health research and encourages healthcare professionals and students to contribute to evidence-based improvements.
Medical and dental education: Calls for appropriate workforce planning, professional and ethical competence, and stronger emphasis on medical ethics.
Action against quackery and addiction: Advocates stronger measures to address unsafe medical practices and substance addiction, particularly among young people.
Health advocacy: Outlines a structured advocacy plan for PIMA at national, provincial, city and district levels through engagement with policymakers, media, professional bodies and communities.