The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) today recommended two substantial health-related projects, including the national Sehat Sahulat Programme, with a combined value of Rs 56.823 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for its final endorsement.

The decision was made during a meeting in the capital, presided over by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, where the forum also granted direct approval to three other initiatives valued at more than Rs 12.5 billion.

The projects green-lit by the CDWP focus on bolstering the country”s public health infrastructure. The largest of these is the “Development of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System with Public Health Laboratories Network and Workforce Development for Transition of Field Epidemiology Training and Laboratory Program,” costing Rs 7,484.251 million.

Approval was also given for “Strengthening Points of Entry and Border Health Services Pakistan, Karachi,” a project worth Rs 2,864.982 million.

Additionally, the working party okayed the “Strengthening and Up-gradation of Cardiology Department and Others at Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital, Islamabad,” with a budget of Rs 2,174.930 million.

The two major proposals forwarded to ECNEC for further consideration are the expansive “Sehat Sahulat Program” at a cost of Rs 40,188.216 million and a plan for the “Establishment of Jinnah Hospital at G-11/3, Islamabad.”