Maryam Nawaz Community Health Service

Last updated on March 26th, 2025 at 11:28 am

Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has announced a major initiative to enhance the province’s healthcare system with the launch of “Maryam Nawaz Community Health Services.”. This newly launched healthcare program will do 19 major tasks to improve medical services and ensure effective health management in Punjab. As part of the program, 20,000 more health inspectors will be hired through outsourcing, considerably enhancing the healthcare workforce. The Lady Worker program will also be merged into “Maryam Nawaz Community Health Services,” which will have a more efficient and streamlined healthcare network. With 39,000 women health workers joining the force, the total workforce under the initiative will be more than 60,000 personnel.

The “Maryam Nawaz Community Health Service” will play an important role in the vaccination drive, including polio elimination, and will also work on maintaining a structured and authentic patient record system. In addition, the initiative will focus on healthcare mapping to ensure better coverage and service distribution. Recently, according to a briefing, 47% of the population is currently covered by healthcare services, while 53% is open. The briefing also said that 93% of patients expressed satisfaction with the ongoing sector reforms. CM has directed the construction of a comprehensive plan for the initiative and has directed the authorities to take immediate measures for the operation of “Maryam Nawaz Community Health Services.”.

وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب، مریم نواز شریف نے “مریم نواز کمیونٹی ہیلتھ سروسز” کا آغاز کیا تاکہ پنجاب کے صحت کے نظام کو بہتر بنایا جا سکے۔ اس منصوبے کے تحت 19 اہم اقدامات کیے جائیں گے، 20,000 ہیلتھ انسپکٹرز بھرتی کیے جائیں گے، اور لیڈی ہیلتھ ورکر پروگرام کو اس میں ضم کیا جائے گا، جس سے مجموعی عملہ 60,000 تک پہنچ جائے گا۔ یہ اقدام ویکسینیشن مہم، پولیو کے خاتمے، مریضوں کے ریکارڈ مینجمنٹ، اور صحت کی سہولیات کی منصفانہ تقسیم پر توجہ دے گا۔ وزیر اعلیٰ نے فوری عمل درآمد اور منصوبہ بندی کی ہدایات جاری کر دی ہیں۔

Major Operational Responsibilities

 Disease prevention and control

• To operate a polio vaccination drive in collaboration with the global polio elimination initiative.
• Administration of regular vaccination for measles, tetanus, and hepatitis B.
• Distributing pesticides in malaria-endemic zones.

Maternal and child health

• Pre-delivery and postpartum checkups for expectant mothers.
• Monitoring and nutritional support for children under five children.
• Family planning services and contraceptive distribution.

Health education and advocacy

• Workshops on hygiene and chronic disease management.
• Community-led campaigns to combat misinformation about vaccines.
• Cooperation with local leaders to promote health-seeking behavior.

Phased Rollout Strategy

• Phase 1 (March-June 2025): Recruitment and training of CHIS; digitization of LHW records.
• Phase 2 (July–December 2025): Pilot launched five disqualified districts, including Rajanpur and Muzaffargarh.
• Phase 3 (2026): Complete scale operations in Punjab, with quarterly performance reviews.

Objectives of the Project

Expansion of its coverage

By deploying 20,000 Community Health Inspectors (CHI) and integrating 39,000 LHWS, the program targets a 30% increase in coverage within its first operating year. This expansion focuses on remote districts where health facilities are rare or nonexistent.

Strengthening preventive care

The MN-CHS has an emphasis on preventive measures, including polio elimination, regular vaccination, and maternal health check-ups. This initiative inspires people to visit the door-to-door to reach weaker demographics under five, such as children and pregnant women.

Digitizing Records

To streamline patient management, MN-CS will implement a centralized digital registry for medical history, vaccination records, and disease monitoring. The purpose of this system is to reduce excess in diagnosis and improve longitudinal care.

Technical innovation and data management

Digital patient registers

It will use cloud-based platforms to maintain patient interaction, drug history, and real-time records of clinical results. This system will enable CHIS to reach the data offline in remote areas, synchronizing the update after restoring internet connectivity.

Mobile health application

The CHIS and LHWS will be equipped with smartphones, which are loaded with apps for symptom checkers, dosage calculators, and referral tracking. These devices aim to standardize the care protocol and reduce clinical errors.

GIS mapping for resource allocation

Using satellite imagery and demographic data, the MN-CHS will create interactive heatmaps identifying gaps in service distribution. This technology will guide the deployment of mobile clinics and vaccination teams in high-priority areas.

Registration Process

The registration process for Maryam Nawaz Community Health Service Initiative includes:

• Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must fulfill specific qualifications, which usually include a relevant degree in health science or a related field. Experiences in healthcare management or public health are often preferred.
• Application Portal: The application process is usually conducted through an online portal managed by the Department of Primary and Secondary Health Services of Punjab. The exact portal for community health inspectors may be similar to other health-related job applications in Punjab.
• Necessary documents: Applicants require required documents, such as an academic certificate, an experience letter, and any relevant certificate.
• Submission and verification: Applications are submitted online, and documents are verified by a selection committee. False or incomplete information can cause disqualification.
• Interview Process: Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview to assess their skills and experiences.

For more detailed information on the registration process, it is advisable to visit the official website of the Primary and Secondary Health Services Department of Punjab or contact its helpline for assistance.

Funding and Participation

The Punjab government has allocated PKR 45 billion for the first three years of MN-CHS. Additional support will come from international donors, including Guavi and the World Bank, which are accidental to achieve predetermined milestones 37.

Challenges and Future Possibilities

• Workforce retention: A high turnover rate due to demand for fieldwork.
• Data security: The risk of violations in the patient registry system.
• Cultural resistance: The vaccine dose in orthodox rural areas.

Long-term vision

By 2030, it aims to achieve universal coverage in Punjab, which reduces maternal mortality by 40% and low-five mortality by 50%. Success here can place Punjab as a model for other provinces and low-income countries.

“مریم نواز کمیونٹی ہیلتھ سروسز” کا ہدف 2030 تک پنجاب میں صحت کی مکمل سہولت فراہم کرنا ہے، جس سے زچگی کی اموات میں 40% اور پانچ سال سے کم عمر بچوں کی اموات میں 50% کمی آئے گی۔ اس منصوبے کی کامیابی پنجاب کو دیگر صوبوں اور کم آمدنی والے ممالک کے لیے ایک ماڈل بنا سکتی ہے۔

Conclusion

The Maryam Nawaz Community Health Services initiative represents a significant leap in Punjab’s healthcare, integrating 20,000 community health inspectors with 39,000 lady workers to address the 53% coverage gap. Building on a 93% patient satisfaction rate, it focuses on preventive care, digital records, and GIS mapping. While challenges persist, this program has the potential to revolutionize Punjab’s healthcare landscape, ensuring equitable access to quality care for all citizens.

FAQs