Health system strengthening relies on evidence-based policy advice, building individual and institutional capacity, and supporting priority programmes through better governance, financing, workforce, technologies, and services. Strengthening health systems is guided by the values and principles of primary health care in addition to the 4 reform areas outlined in the World Health Report 2008: universal coverage, service delivery, leadership and public policy reforms.
Along the same lines, the World Health Report 2010 defines universal health coverage as providing all people with access to needed health services that is of sufficient quality to be effective, while ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user to financial hardship.
Pakistan is committed to achieving the health-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals with the aim of attaining universal health coverage. The SDGs are the practical expression of concern for health equity and the right to health; and contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction. Embarking on a national vision towards universal coverage will entail reforms in the health system, as well as addressing social and environmental determinants of health.
The national health vision 2025 provides a way forward to confront the challenges that face the national health system such as inequities, rising exposure to health risks, increasing health care costs and low levels of access to quality. The overall goal is to achieve better health, universal health coverage and equitable health financing policies.
Related links
Health policy, governance and leadership
Essential medicines and technology
