Pakistan (Punjab)

The Pakistan country profile provides an overview of the community health system in Pakistan, with a focus on Punjab province, according to the most up-to-date policies available. It particularly focuses on the country’s community health providers, the structures that support them, and the services they deliver across many health areas – with a spotlight on family planning. The profile is targeted towards policymakers, program implementers, donors, researchers, and others interested in the country’s community health system.

The table below captures key information from the full, downloadable country profile. The complete CHS Catalog data set is also available for download, including information for Pakistan.

Community Health Quick Stats

Main Community Health Policy / Strategy | Last Updated
  • Essential Package of Health Services for Primary Health Care in Punjab | 2013
  • Health Sector Strategy, Punjab | 2013
  • Pakistan Growth Strategy 2018 | 2015
  • Pakistan Vision 2025 | 2014
  • PC-1: I-RHPHCN program | 2013
  • Punjab Health Sector Plan 2018: Building a Healthier Punjab | 2015
Number of Community Health Provider Cadres

2 main cadres

  • Community midwives (CMWs)
  • Lady health workers (LHWs)
Recommended Number of Community Health Providers
  • 9,000 CMWs
  • 51,500 LHWs1
Estimated Number of Community Health Providers
  • 4,200 CMWs2
  • 48,500 LHWs
Recommended Ratio of Community Health Providers to Beneficiaries
  • 1 CMW : 5,000–10,000 people3
  • 1 LHW : 1,200–1,300 people4
Community-Level Data Collection Yes
Levels of Management of Community-Level Service Delivery

Provincial, district, community
Key Community Health Program(s)

Integrated Reproductive Health, Primary Health Care, and Nutrition (I-RHPHCN) Program (formerly the MNCH Program and the LHW Program)

1 By 2020.
2 As of 2012, an additional 500 CMWs were awaiting deployment, 950 were in training, and there were plans to recruit and train 3,000 between 2012 and 2015.
3 The target ratio for CMWs under the MNCH program was first set to 1: 10,000, with plans to add more CMWs to achieve a ratio of 1 CMW : 5,000 people by 2015. 1 CMW : 5,000 people is the ratio in districts with ‘scattered’ populations’ and urban slums.
4 It is unclear in policy if this ratio is an ideal ratio or the actual ratio of LHWs to people.

Key Policies and Strategies

2013. National EPI Policy and Strategic Guideline (Draft).

Government of the Punjab and the Technical Resource Facility. 2013. Health Sector Strategy, Punjab. Islamabad: Government of the Punjab (accessed August 2016).

———. 2013. Essential Package of Health Services for Primary Health Care in Punjab: Technical Component. Islamabad: Government of the Punjab (accessed August 2016).

Government of the Punjab. 2015. Public Sector Development Plan 2014–2024: Drinking Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene. Lahore: Government of the Punjab (accessed August 2016).

———. 2015. Punjab Growth Strategy 2018: Accelerating Economic Growth and Improving Social Outcomes. Lahore: Government of the Punjab (accessed August 2016).

———. 2015. Punjab Health Sector Plan 2018: Building a Healthier Punjab. Lahore: Government of the Punjab (accessed August 2016).

Health Department, Government of the Punjab. 2013. PCI-Form of National Maternal Newborn Child Health Program, Punjab 2012–2015. Lahore: Health Department, Government of the Punjab (accessed August 2016).

Health Department, Government of the Punjab. PC-1 Performa: Punjab: Integrated Program for Reproductive Health, PHC and Nutrition. Lahore: Health Department, Government of the Punjab.

Ministry of Planning, Development, and Reform, Government of Pakistan. 2014. Pakistan 2025: One Nation – One Vision. Islamabad: Government of Pakistan (accessed August 2016).

National Tuberculosis Control Program, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, Government of Pakistan. 2015. National Guidelines for Management of Tuberculosis in Pakistan. Islamabad: National Tuberculosis Control Program.

Pakistan Nursing Council. n.d. Community Midwifery Curriculum. Islamabad: Pakistan Nursing Council (accessed August 2016).

Population Welfare Department, Government of the Punjab. 2016. Punjab Population Policy 2016 (Draft). Lahore: Population Welfare Department, Government of the Punjab.