Pakistan is in discussions with Saudi Arabia to implement a nationwide digital health records system that would enable doctors to access patients' medical histories across hospitals and provinces, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal told Arab News on Tuesday.
System Modeled on Saudi Platform
The proposed system, inspired by the Kingdom's Unified Health Record (UHR) platform, aims to replace fragmented paper-based records that often lead to duplicate tests, treatment delays, and gaps in patient care. This initiative is part of broader efforts to modernize healthcare management in Pakistan, where medical records are often maintained separately by individual hospitals and healthcare providers.
“Saudi Arabia ranks among the world leaders in digital management of unified patient data,” Kamal said. “I spoke with relevant Saudi officials just a few days ago, and we want to learn from their experience and introduce a similar system in Pakistan.”
How the Saudi System Works
Saudi Arabia has developed a Unified Health Record system under its Vision 2030 reform program, allowing healthcare providers to access patient information through a centralized digital platform. The system maintains updated records including disease history, medications dispensed, medical insurance information, laboratory test results, vaccinations, and referrals.
Linking Records with National IDs
Kamal said his ministry is working with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to eventually link citizens' medical records with their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs). “In the future, a patient's CNIC could serve as their Medical Record number, allowing healthcare providers to access centralized medical histories across the country,” he explained.
Joint Vaccine Production
Pakistan is also exploring joint vaccine production with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and China to reduce dependence on imported vaccines and prepare for a gradual decline in international funding support. The country requires around 130 million vaccine doses annually to immunize children against various diseases, according to official data. However, support from international partners is expected to taper off by 2030, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
Pakistan currently relies heavily on Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, a public-private global health partnership that helps finance and supply vaccines in lower-income countries. Health officials say local vaccine manufacturing would strengthen health security, reduce import dependence, conserve foreign exchange reserves, and support export-oriented industries.
Kamal noted that Pakistan spends up to $1.2 billion annually on vaccine imports, highlighting the need for domestic production capacity. “Indonesia has agreed to transfer vaccine production technology, and we expect a breakthrough very soon,” he said.
