Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was briefed on Saturday that the province has become the first in Pakistan to undertake comprehensive digital health and demographic mapping of its population, with the country's largest-ever digital health census nearing completion. Chairing a meeting of the Health and Population Department, she reviewed progress on the Community Health Inspectors Programme.
Digital Health Census Progress
Officials informed the chief minister that health and demographic profiling of more than 85 percent of the population had been completed in 18 districts. Five districts achieved 100 percent coverage, while another five crossed the 95 percent mark. The meeting reported that digital health and demographic profiles of 94.3 million citizens have been registered, and every household across Punjab has been assigned a unique digital identification number through the province's digital mapping initiative.
Under the programme, 14,300 Community Health Inspectors visited households to collect data on health, demographics, socio-economic status, drinking water, and disabilities. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also reviewed the programme's digital dashboard, which consolidates information for evidence-based planning and service delivery.
Chief Minister's Remarks on Data-Driven Policy
“Reliable data is the foundation of effective public policy,” the chief minister said, adding that healthcare services would now be planned and delivered based on authentic digital information rather than estimates. “Without accurate data, it is impossible to determine where patients are located or how many medicines and healthcare facilities are required,” she stated. She emphasized that the initiative would help identify long-neglected health challenges and improve resource allocation across the province.
Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories Expansion
During the briefing, the meeting was informed that cardiac catheterisation laboratories (Cath Labs) would be made operational in 16 districts by December. Five Cath Labs are already functional, while facilities in Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar, and Layyah have been directed to become operational at the earliest. The chief minister sought weekly performance reports on all functional Cath Labs. She also directed that Phase-II Cath Labs in eight additional districts be completed by the end of July.
Home Delivery and Population Management
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to further improve the home delivery system for medicines and launch a comprehensive population management campaign to address the province's growing population. She proposed the “Maryam Nawaz Sehat Mand Gharana” programme to link citizens directly with healthcare centres, reducing unnecessary hospital visits. Patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis, cancer, and malnutrition would receive digital follow-up and continuous monitoring under the integrated system.
Data Security and Polio Eradication
The meeting was further informed that a modern disaster recovery site would be established to ensure the security and protection of the province's digital health data. The chief minister appreciated the anti-polio teams after environmental samples collected from 19 districts tested negative for the poliovirus, paying tribute to health workers for their tireless efforts in the campaign against polio.
