Secretary Health Balochistan Visit IHHN Community Health Directorate to Strengthen Strategic Healthcare Collaboration

The Secretary of Health, Balochistan, Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, paid a high-level visit to meet with Dr. Mah Talat, Executive Director of the Community Health Directorate (CHD), Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), in Islamabad today. The visit aimed to explore strategic avenues for collaboration to strengthen healthcare delivery across Balochistan.

During the meeting, the CHD team presented its comprehensive nationwide portfolio, highlighting an extensive network of over 100 Primary Care Program (PCP) sites, including mobile health facilities. These platforms deliver free-of-cost services, ensuring that vulnerable and geographically isolated communities are not left behind.

A key focus of the discussion was the implementation of innovative immunization models in Balochistan. Dr. Mah Talat shared insights into the Directorate’s Routine Immunization (RI) and Zero-Dose interventions, which deploy trained community health workers across 42 Union Councils to identify and vaccinate children in hard-to-reach areas. The initiative has successfully identified and reached thousands of previously unreached children in some of the province’s most underserved districts.

The delegation also reviewed the Directorate’s digital health initiatives, including its telehealth model currently operational in Haripur. A documentary presentation showcased the replicable design of this digital framework, including specialized tele-midwifery services. Discussions centered on leveraging this technical infrastructure to overcome geographical barriers in Balochistan and expand access to quality primary care for dispersed populations.

In addition to digital innovation, the meeting covered technical support in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and infectious disease management. Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman emphasized the importance of utilizing IHHN’s technical expertise to help standardize safety protocols across provincial health facilities. Dr. Mah Talat also provided the Secretary with a tour of the Directorate’s mobile health “Yellow Vans,” explaining their operational model and impact in remote settings.

At the strategic level, the Secretary commended Dr. Mah Talat’s recent participation in the Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS) meeting. He expressed strong interest in integrating the Community Health Directorate into Balochistan’s Learning Agenda forums to promote data-driven policymaking and collaborative problem-solving among government stakeholders, IHHN, and international partners.

Concluding the visit, Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman reaffirmed that the Government of Balochistan regards Indus Hospital & Health Network as a valued strategic partner. He emphasized that IHHN occupies a critical role in the province’s future health strategy and expressed his commitment to expanding this partnership to advance equitable healthcare access for the people of Balochistan.