The Sindh Health Department is a vital department of the Government of Sindh in Pakistan, responsible for providing healthcare facilities to the people of Sindh province. The department has made significant progress in the past few years in improving the healthcare infrastructure and implementing public health programs. The Sindh Health Department’s primary objective is to improve the health status of the people of Sindh by providing them with quality healthcare services. In this blog, we will discuss the key functions and initiatives of the Sindh Health Department.
History of Sindh Health Department
The Sindh Health Department has a long and complex history that dates back to the pre-independence era of Pakistan. After the formation of Pakistan in 1947, the Sindh Health Department was established as a separate entity, responsible for providing healthcare services to the people of Sindh. The department was initially focused on building a network of hospitals and clinics across the province to provide basic healthcare services to the public.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the Sindh Health Department underwent a period of expansion and modernization. The department built new hospitals and clinics, introduced modern medical equipment, and trained healthcare professionals. The department also launched several public health programs, including vaccination drives and disease prevention campaigns.
Despite facing several challenges in the 1980s and 1990s, the Sindh Health Department continued to provide basic healthcare services to the public and worked to implement public health programs. In the early 2000s, the department underwent a period of reform and restructuring, adopting a more decentralized approach and delegating more authority to district-level health departments.
Today, the Sindh Health Department is one of the largest government departments in the province, with a mandate to provide quality healthcare services to the people. The department is responsible for managing hospitals and clinics, implementing public health programs, and providing health education to the public. Despite facing various challenges, the department continues to work towards improving the health and well-being of the people of Sindh.
Key Functions of the Sindh Health Department
Healthcare Facility Management
The Sindh Health Department is responsible for managing healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and health centers across the province. The department ensures that these facilities are equipped with modern medical equipment, medicines, and healthcare professionals to provide high-quality healthcare services to the public. The department also supervises the procurement and distribution of essential medicines to healthcare facilities.
Public Health Programs
The Sindh Health Department implements several public health programs to improve the health and well-being of the public. These programs include vaccination drives, disease prevention campaigns, and health education programs. The department also works to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis B and C.
Availability of Essential Medicines
The Sindh Health Department is responsible for ensuring the availability of essential medicines in healthcare facilities across the province. The department works closely with pharmaceutical companies to procure and distribute medicines to public health facilities. The department also ensures that the quality of medicines is up to international standards.
Initiatives by Sindh Health Department
The Sindh Health Department has launched several initiatives to improve healthcare services and public health in the province. Some of the major initiatives are as follows:
Sehat Sahulat Program
The Sehat Sahulat Program is a health insurance program launched by the Sindh Health Department. The program provides free healthcare services to poor and vulnerable segments of the population. Under the program, beneficiaries can avail of free medical treatment at public and private healthcare facilities. The program aims to ensure that every citizen of Sindh has access to quality healthcare services, regardless of their financial situation.
Hepatitis Control Program
The Hepatitis Control Program is a public health initiative launched by the Sindh Health Department. The program aims to prevent and control the spread of hepatitis B and C in the province. The program includes vaccination drives, testing and treatment services, and awareness campaigns. The program has been successful in reducing the incidence of hepatitis in the province.
Mobile Health Units
The Sindh Health Department has launched mobile health units to provide healthcare services to remote and underserved areas of the province. These units are equipped with the necessary medical equipment and staffed by healthcare professionals. The mobile health units have helped improve access to healthcare services for people living in remote and rural areas of the province.
Lady Health Workers Program
The Lady Health Workers Program is a public health initiative launched by the Sindh Health Department to improve maternal and child health in the province. The program provides training to female health workers who provide healthcare services to pregnant women and children in their communities. The program has been successful in reducing maternal and child mortality rates in the province.
The Primary Healthcare Facilities
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 |
Secondary Healthcare Facilities
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 |
The Sindh Health Department plays a vital role in providing healthcare services and improving public health in the province. The department’s functions include managing healthcare facilities, implementing public health programs, and ensuring the availability of essential medicines. The department has launched several initiatives to improve healthcare services and public health, including the Sehat Sahulat Program, the Hepatitis Control Program, mobile health units, and the Lady Health Workers Program. These initiatives have helped improve access to healthcare services and prevent the spread of diseases in the province. The Sindh Health Department’s efforts
