The health sector is a critical component of any society, responsible for ensuring the well-being of its citizens. The Sindh Health department, in particular, plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving the health standards of the people living in the Sindh province of Pakistan.
With its wide-ranging responsibilities, from public health initiatives and disease control to the provision of medical services and the management of healthcare facilities, the department plays a vital role in protecting and improving the population’s health.
In this blog, Graana.com has discussed everything you need to know about the Sindh Health Department, including its history, services, and partnerships.
The history of the Sindh Health department dates back to the early days of Pakistan’s independence. After the partition of India in 1947, the newly formed country faced numerous challenges, including a shortage of medical facilities and healthcare workers.
In response to these challenges, the government of Pakistan established the Ministry of Health, which was responsible for overseeing the country’s healthcare system.
Over the years, the Ministry of Health was divided into several departments, including the Sindh Health department, which was created to manage and oversee the healthcare system in the Sindh province.
Since its establishment, the Sindh Health department has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the health standards of the people in the province.
The department has been instrumental in launching various public health initiatives aimed at controlling the spread of diseases and improving the population’s health. It has also been responsible for managing healthcare facilities in the province, ensuring that citizens have access to quality medical services and treatments.
Despite facing numerous challenges over the years, including limited resources and a shortage of healthcare workers, the Sindh Health department has continued to strive towards improving the health and well-being of the people of Sindh.
Today, the department remains a crucial player in the province’s healthcare system, and its efforts to provide quality medical services and improve public health have been widely recognized.
The following are the most common services provided by the Sindh Health Department:
Primary healthcare services form the backbone of the healthcare system in any region, and the Sindh Health department plays a critical role in providing these services to the people of Sindh. These healthcare services refer to the first point of contact between a patient and the healthcare system.
They are typically provided by community health centres, rural health centres, and other healthcare facilities that are easily accessible to the general population.
The primary healthcare services provided by the Sindh Health department include basic medical examinations, diagnoses, and treatment for common illnesses and conditions. This can include vaccinations, management of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as maternal and child health services.
The department also provides preventive healthcare services, such as health education and screening programs, to help prevent the spread of diseases and promote good health practices.
In addition to these services, the Sindh Health department also provides essential medicines and medical supplies to primary healthcare facilities, ensuring patients have access to the treatments they need.
The department also works closely with other healthcare providers, such as private clinics and hospitals, to coordinate care and ensure that patients receive the best possible treatment.
The table enlists the primary healthcare facilities that Sindh Health Department provides.
| Sr. No. | Category | Total No. of Health Facilities | No. of HFs with PPP Node | No. HFs with PPHI | HFs with Health Dept. |
| 1 | Rural Health Centers | 125 | 114 | 1 | 10 |
| 2 | Basic Health Units | 757 | 0 | 648 | 109 |
| 3 | Dispensaries | 792 | 0 | 326 | 466 |
| 4 | Mother & Child Health Centre (MCH Centers) | 67 | 0 | 27 | 40 |
| 5 | Sub Health Centers/ Clinics | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 6 | Homeopathic Dispensaries | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | Urban Health Centres | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Unani Shifa Khana | 36 | 0 | 9 | 27 |
| TOTAL | 1782 | 114 | 1013 | 655 |
In addition to primary healthcare services, the Sindh Health department also provides specialised healthcare services to the people of Sindh.
These services are provided by specialised healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centres. They are designed to address more complex medical conditions and treatments that may require a higher level of expertise and specialised equipment.
Specialised healthcare services provided by the Sindh Health department can include surgeries, diagnostic imaging, treatment for chronic illnesses, and specialised care for women and children.
The department also provides mental health services, including counselling and therapy for individuals struggling with mental health issues.
The department works closely with specialised healthcare providers within the public and private sectors to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
This can include referral systems, which help patients receive specialised treatment if they require it, and coordinated care programs, which help to ensure that patients receive the right treatment at the right time.
The specialised healthcare services provided by the Sindh Health department play a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive the best possible treatment for their conditions, regardless of their complexity or severity.
By providing quality, specialised medical services, the department helps improve the health and well-being of the people of Sindh and ensures that the province’s healthcare system is functioning effectively.
Following table lists the information regarding secondary healthcare facilities.
| Sr. No. | Category | No. of Health Facilities | HFs with PPP Node | No. of HFs with the Health Department |
| 1 | DHQ Hospitals | 14 | 1 | 13 |
| 2 | THQ Hospitals | 49 | 6 | 43 |
| 3 | Major/Other/Specialized Hospitals Secondary | 27 | 0 | 27 |
| TOTAL | 90 | 7 | 83 |
Following table lists the information regarding secondary healthcare facilities.
| Sr # | Category | No. of Health Facilities |
| 01 | Tertiary-Level Care Facilities | 08 |
| TOTAL | 08 |
Community outreach programs form an essential part of the healthcare system, and the Sindh Health department plays a critical role in providing these services to the people of Sindh. These programs are designed to reach out to communities and provide them with access to health information, services, and resources they may not have otherwise had access to.
Community outreach programs provided by the Sindh Health department include health education campaigns, community health clinics, and outreach services for marginalised groups, such as women and children.
The department also provides health screenings and preventive health services, such as vaccinations and health education, to help prevent the spread of diseases and promote good health practices.
The department works closely with local communities and healthcare providers, both within the public and private sectors, to ensure that the outreach programs are effective and reach the people who need them most.
This can include partnerships with community organisations, schools, and other institutions to help spread health information and resources to the wider population.
According to their website, the programs that Sindh Health Department carries out include:
Sindh Health Department has taken different public-private partnership initiatives, mentioned in the table below:
| Sr. # | Scope | Partner | Status |
| 01 | DHQ Badin (Dist. Badin) | The Indus Hospital | Funds & Management Transfer Complete |
| 02 | Rural Health Centers All (Starting from Larkana Division) | Integrated Health Service (IHS) | Funds & Management Transfer Pending |
| 03 | Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Ambulance Service, Sindh (Thatta Sajawal) | Aman Foundation | Funds & Management Transfer Complete |
| 04 | RHCs/THQ/DHQ Thatta, Sajawal | Medical Emergency and Resilience Foundation (MERF) | Funds & Management Transfer Pending |
| 05 | Bin Qasim Gadap Town (All Units) DHQ Khairpur | Health and Nutrition Development Society (HANDS) | Funds & Management Transfer Pending |
| 06 | Children Hospital North Karachi | Poverty Eradication Initiative (PEI) | Contract Agreement Signed |
| 07 | Sindh Medical Support Program (Ten (10) District Sindh) | Poverty Eradication Initiative (PEI) | Contract Agreement Signed |
| 08 | DHQ Hospital Tando Mohammad Khan and Shikarpur | Contracting out in Process | Approved in 19th PPP Policy Board |
For more related information regarding the impact of healthcare facilities on residential property prices, visit Graana Blog.
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