ISLAMABAD – The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan and leading representatives from the business community, has launched the country’s first WHO Pakistan Public-Private Health Council to strengthen cooperation in the health sector, reinforce national health systems and accelerate progress towards achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The council was formally inaugurated at a ceremony in Karachi by WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy, Council Chair Aziz Memon, Federal Secretary for National Health Services Muhammad Aslam Ghauri, WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng, and the council’s founding members drawn from the business sector and academia.
The initiative brings together 20 prominent business leaders with WHO and government stakeholders to mobilise financial resources, technical expertise and strategic advocacy aimed at improving healthcare delivery and expanding public health initiatives across Pakistan.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Dr Balkhy described the council as an innovative platform that would foster stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to address Pakistan’s healthcare challenges.
She said the initiative would harness the expertise, influence and philanthropic commitment of the business community to help improve health outcomes and support sustainable development.
Council Chair Aziz Memon said the platform would promote structured collaboration between government institutions, WHO and the private sector, ensuring that Pakistan’s economic development was aligned with national public health priorities.
Federal Secretary for National Health Services Muhammad Aslam Ghauri said the council would complement the implementation of Pakistan’s National Health Strategy 2026–2035 and contribute to the country’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage.
WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng said stronger public-private partnerships would help expand access to quality healthcare services, improve health equity and build a healthier and more prosperous Pakistan.
According to WHO, the newly established council is expected to serve as a strategic forum for promoting long-term collaboration between the public and private sectors, encouraging investment in health programmes and supporting national efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
