Bugti reviews public-private health projects in Balochistan

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said cancer and other life-threatening illnesses should be treated within the province so that patients can receive care at home instead of travelling to other parts of the country.

He made the remarks while chairing a meeting held to assess progress on public-private partnership initiatives in the health sector.

The session reviewed cooperation between the provincial government and the Aria Institute of Medical Sciences. According to the details discussed in the meeting, participants examined matters related to public-private collaboration in healthcare, the provision of timely and quality medical services across Balochistan, the strengthening of emergency services, and the availability of treatment for cancer and other serious diseases.

The meeting agreed that the expertise and resources available in the private sector would be utilised to make Balochistan’s public healthcare system more effective and more beneficial for the public.

Focus on healthcare capacity and modern systems

During the meeting, various dimensions of possible cooperation were considered. These included expanding hospital capacity, improving diagnostic and treatment facilities, and introducing modern healthcare services in the province.

Bugti said reforms in the health sector, the implementation of modern systems, and sustainable development require strong partnerships with the private sector.

The discussion centred on how such partnerships could help improve service delivery in the province’s health system and support efforts to provide better medical care to people across Balochistan.

The meeting was convened specifically to review the pace and direction of public-private partnership projects in the health sector. It also looked at ways to improve emergency response and broaden access to specialised treatment inside Balochistan.

Participants discussed the role private-sector collaboration could play in supporting the provincial government’s efforts to upgrade healthcare infrastructure and services. The review also covered the need for timely treatment and better-quality care for residents in different parts of the province.

The deliberations reflected the provincial government’s emphasis on using partnerships to strengthen the health sector, particularly in areas requiring specialised treatment and improved facilities. The meeting also underlined the importance of combining public-sector oversight with private-sector expertise and resources to improve outcomes for patients.

Published in Dawn on April 16, 2026, the meeting examined practical avenues for cooperation aimed at making healthcare services in Balochistan more accessible and effective for the wider population.