ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has rated the overall implementation progress of “the National Health Support Programme” worth USD358 million as moderately satisfactory.
Launched in October 2022 and financed through the World Bank’s IDA window with co-financing from the Global Financing Facility, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Fund, and Gavi, the NHSP aims to enhance equitable access to quality essential health services — a major step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Pakistan. The progress toward achieving PDO was rated as moderately satisfactory.
According to official documents, the program has accelerated implementation at both federal and provincial levels after initial delays and has already achieved a number of key Disbursement Linked Results (DLRs). These include: improved readiness of primary healthcare facilities, expanded provider training and capacity building, strengthened and integrated health information systems, improved tuberculosis case notification, and increased routine immunisation coverage.
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With about 58 percent of funds already disbursed, the program is well on track to deliver its intended outcomes despite some operational challenges.
The report notes that the NHSP’s progress towards achieving its development objectives — especially improving equity and quality in primary healthcare — has also been rated moderately satisfactory, signalling confidence in the program’s trajectory.
In a further boost, the Gates Foundation has offered technical assistance in health financing, which will form part of the program’s broader technical support package. This assistance is expected to be rolled out by June 2026, helping provinces strengthen planning, budgeting, and financing systems for more resilient health service delivery.
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