Health financing is concerned with how financial resources are generated, allocated and used in health systems. One of the major changes that faces the national health system is the shortage in availability of finances to deliver health services. Total per capita expenditure in Pakistan as of 2013 is US$ 37 with a government expenditure of 37 % (US$ 13.7) the rest being out-of-pocket payments by individuals and households which represent 55 % and those from external sources 7 %. The total health expenditures as a proportion of the gross domestic product is 2.8 %.
The launch of national health insurance schemes is expected to reduce the out-of-pocket payments by individuals and households and provide protection against catastrophic expenditures. In addition, the different models of Public-Private Partnerships will play a role in producing more efficiency to the system operations which are expected to be replicated and mainstreamed in many service delivery aspects.
WHO support
Focus of the WHO support is to facilitate and advocate for increased resource allocation and mobilization towards the achievement of UHC through advocacy, development of national health finance policy, and promotion of PPP schemes. This includes the following:
1. National and provincial activities to advocate for increased resource allocations
2. Support to the national health insurance schemes
3. Review and support to the replication of public-private partnership schemes
4. Development of a national health financing policy
