Islamabad: Pakistan expanded universal health coverage to an additional 51 million people over the past decade, increasing coverage from 87 million in 2015 to 138 million in 2023, according to a joint global monitoring report released by the World Health Organization and the World Bank Group ahead of Universal Health Coverage Day 2025.
The report shows that Pakistan’s service coverage index improved from 40 in 2015 to 56 in 2023, reflecting steady gains in access to essential health services. However, it notes that much stronger efforts will be required for the country to reach the global target of 80 by 2030.
Marking Universal Health Coverage Day under the theme “Unaffordable health costs? We are sick of it,” the WHO acknowledged the Government of Pakistan for progress made in collaboration with the organization and development partners. Since 2021, WHO has supported Pakistan in piloting a primary health care oriented model of care in Islamabad Capital Territory, Charsadda and Kotli, benefiting more than one million people.
Despite these gains, the report highlights persistent financial hardship caused by out of pocket medical spending. In 2024, more than 14.8 million people faced catastrophic health expenditures, while 11.1 million were pushed below the 2.15 dollar per day poverty line due to health related costs, according to Pakistan’s Universal Health Coverage Monitoring Report prepared by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO and the British High Commission.
WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng said that while progress has been made, access to health care remains unaffordable for millions. He said no family should be forced to choose between life saving treatment for their children and financial survival because of medical bills.
He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to continue working with Pakistan to expand access to basic health services, particularly for the most vulnerable populations, as part of efforts to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
WHO said it would continue supporting Pakistan in addressing remaining gaps in health financing and service delivery to ensure that universal health coverage translates into real and affordable care for all citizens, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay.
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