Islamabad: Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema has underscored the importance of strengthening primary healthcare through greater use of digital solutions to improve service delivery. He was talking to World Bank Vice President Mamta Murthi, who called on him in Islamabad today.
According to Radio Pakistan, during the meeting, Mamta Murthi briefed the Minister on the World Bank's proposed interventions in the health, education, and human development sectors. These interventions include a medium-term Health Compact aimed at strengthening primary healthcare systems, improving maternal and child health outcomes, and enhancing service delivery through a digitally enabled health sector.
Highlighting the need for increased private sector participation, Minister Cheema emphasized greater engagement by the International Finance Corporation to support healthcare systems and industry-oriented skills initiatives. Murthi also discussed the possibility of a Skills Development Program focused on strengthening technical and vocational training, improving workforce readiness, and creating better employment opportunities for Pakistan's youth.
On his part, Ahad Cheema welcomed the World Bank's proposals and emphasized the need to align future interventions with national development priorities. The meeting discussed progress under ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and the World Bank and the launch of new development initiatives with a particular focus on human capital development, skills development, workforce readiness, and employment generation for youth.
The meeting also explored avenues for greater collaboration among the government, the World Bank Group, and the private sector to support Pakistan's human capital objectives. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue cooperation and collaboration in advancing Pakistan's human capital and economic development objectives.
