Understanding the Role of PPHI in Primary Healthcare in Sindh

Abstract

Primary healthcare (PHC) is a cornerstone of equitable and inclusive healthcare, emphasizing integrated services, multi-sectoral collaboration and community empowerment. Recognized as the most cost-effective means of achieving universal health coverage, PHC addresses prevention, treatment and rehabilitation needs while enhancing resilience to health crises. Sindh province, home to 50.8 million people, reflects these disparities, particularly in rural areas, where poverty and insufficient infrastructure exacerbate vulnerabilities for women and children. To bridge these gaps, the Government of Sindh launched the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) in 2007. PPHI has significantly improved PHC delivery through its network of 1,358 facilities, offering maternal care, immunizations, and community health services. This paper evaluates PPHI’s contributions to enhancing PHC in Sindh, focusing on access, quality, and challenges faced in its implementation. Using qualitative methods, the study analyzes PPHI’s service delivery model and its alignment with Sindh's healthcare needs, drawing from official reports and public health data. By examining PPHI’s successes and obstacles, the paper provides insights for stakeholders to strengthen PHC systems and proposes recommendations to amplify PPHI’s impact on Sindh’s healthcare landscape.