Govt begins health sector's privatisation

Following the privatisation of government schools, the health authorities in Rawalpindi have initiated plans to privatise government hospitals and basic health units across the district.

All allied hospitals in Rawalpindi have been included in the privatisation list, along with numerous primary and rural health centres.

In the first phase, 180 primary health centres and 110 rural health centres, focusing on south and north Punjab, will be handed over to private operators.

Districts Layyah and Nankana are among the first to see this shift, with the programme expanding to Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala in a second phase set for December.

Under this new model, these health facilities will be run by private staff, while the government provides financial support for a limited period of six months to one year.

The move has stirred anger within the health sector, prompting plans for collective protests by health workers, teachers, non-teaching staff, and clerks.

Previously, the Punjab government completed the privatisation of score government schools in Rawalpindi and 5,863 across Punjab, striking a powerful blow to public education in the province.

The decision comes despite protests and strikes by teachers' organisations.