Engagement of private health sector in communicable disease and immunization programmes in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: In Pakistan, where the burden of communicable diseases remains high, the private sector accounts for 62% of health care provision.

AIM: To describe the role of the private sector in communicable disease management in Pakistan and inform a more effective engagement towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.

METHODS: We searched the literature and available documents on policies, regulations and experiences in private health sector engagement in Pakistan. We interviewed policy level experts regarding the formulation of national health policies and plans and a sample of private providers using a structured questionnaire to assess their awareness of and engagement in communicable disease programmes.

RESULTS: Published reports described initiatives to engage the private sector in improving coverage for a package of care and programme-specific initiatives. Pakistan did not have a national policy for structural engagement, and regulations were limited. Policy level experts interviewed perceived the private sector as market-driven and poorly regulated. Thirty-nine percent of private sector providers interviewed were aware or had been trained in procedures or guidelines, and 23% of them had had their performance monitored by government.

CONCLUSION: We recommend that the Ministry of Health provide overall vision for the operations of the public and private health sectors so that both sectors can complement each other towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage, including for communicable diseases.