National Symposium on Primary Health Care Brings Stakeholders Together to Advance towards Universal Health Coverage

Aga Khan University (AKU), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination and Provincial Health Departments, hosted the Primary Health Care (PHC) Symposium, as part of the PHC Learning Agenda (PLA) Initiative. The event brought together government leadership policymakers, health experts, and development partners to explore innovative solutions and research-driven strategies for achieving Universal Health Coverage through a PHC approach.

“Improving access to quality primary health care services is a key priority. This initiative allows us to learn from successful models and ensure that no community is left behind,” said Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Sindh. “I commend the collaboration between academia, development partners and provincial governments to strengthen PHC.”

PHC is the backbone of Pakistan’s health system, especially in rural areas, where over 60% of the nation’s population live. Investing in and improving PHC is a cost-effective way to reduce disease burden, enhance health outcomes, and promote equity.

“At Aga Khan University, we believe that primary health care is not just a component of the health system — it is its very foundation,” said Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President of AKU. “It is the path to a future where health systems are people-centered, and where care is accessible and equitable. That is the kind of system we need if we are to achieve universal health coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in Pakistan. Through initiatives like the PHC Learning Agenda, we are working hand in hand with national partners to generate evidence and insights that can transform policy and practice across Pakistan. This symposium is a collective reaffirmation of our shared commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.”

The symposium highlighted five priorities for strengthening PHC: integrating health and population services to address rapid population growth; reconfiguring PHC to tackle non-communicable diseases and mental health; partnering with the private sector; improving service quality; investing in domestic health financing and reducing reliance on external aid.

Backed by the Gates Foundation, UNICEF, and the World Bank, the symposium also featured discussions around financing, governance, health information, quality of care, and community engagement, all vital to advancing universal health coverage and achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Importantly, the event brought together senior representatives from federal, provincial, and district health offices.

“Primary health care is central to achieving universal health coverage and health-related SDGs,” stated Federal Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal in a pre-recorded video message. “The government remains committed to prioritizing PHC reforms by strengthening public private partnership, benefiting from digital health, and ensuring that every Pakistani has access to essential health services. This symposium is a step forward in uniting our efforts toward this goal.”

Prominent figures in attendance included Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Sindh; Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Minister of State for Health; Dr. Azra Pechuho, Minister of Health, Government of Sindh; Mr. Imran Nazir, Minister of Health and Population, Government of Punjab; Mr. Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Minister of Health, Government of Balochistan; and Mr. Ihtisham Ali, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—reflecting a high-level commitment to PHC across all provinces.

The PHC Learning Agenda is a two-year initiative led by AKU and supported by the Gates Foundation, aimed at generating evidence and enabling cross-provincial learning to enhance PHC readiness and resilience.