ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) cleared five health development projects worth Rs69.35 billion, while voicing serious concern over the sharp escalation in project costs and stressing the need for realistic, evidence-based estimates at the PC-I stage. The CDWP approved three development projects with a combined cost of Rs12.524 billion, while two major projects amounting to Rs56.823 billion were recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration. The CDWP met with Federal Minister for Planning, Development and & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, in the chair at P-Block Secretariat on Thursday. Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Mustafa Kamal, personally attended the forum to support and justify the projects of his Ministry. The CDWP reviewed and approved a revised health sector project titled “Sehat Sahulat Programme” at a cost of Rs40.188 billion, and recommended it to the ECNEC for final consideration. The project is a key component of the URAAN Pakistan Social Sector Initiative, reflecting the Government of Pakistan’s strong commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services for all citizens, particularly the poor, vulnerable, and underserved segments of society. Under the revised framework, the Sehat Sahulat Program is being implemented through the development budget on a universal basis in Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, with the objective of improving overall public health outcomes by expanding coverage of secondary and priority inpatient treatments. The CDWP also approved a revised health sector project titled “Establishment of Jinnah Hospital (Polyclinic (PGMI)-II) at G-11/3, Islamabad,” at a total cost of Rs15.948 billion, and recommended it to the ECNEC for final approval. The project is a significant component of the URAAN Pakistan Social Sector Initiative, reflecting the Government of Pakistan’s firm commitment to strengthening public healthcare infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to quality medical services for citizens, particularly the poor and vulnerable segments of society. Under the revised scope, the hospital’s bed capacity has been increased from 311 to 400 to better meet growing healthcare needs in the federal capital. The project also includes the induction of modern IT systems, enhanced building and external development works, a substantial increase in biomedical equipment and furniture, and escalation provisions to address cost adjustments, including the imposition of GST on equipment. Additional components such as solar power systems, HVAC operation and maintenance, and comprehensive risk mitigation measures have been incorporated to ensure sustainability, operational efficiency, and uninterrupted healthcare services. The project’s gestation period has been extended up to June 2027 to facilitate effective implementation. While reviewing the development project, Chairman CDWP Ahsan Iqbal expressed serious concern over the significant escalation in project cost and emphasized the need for realistic, evidence-based costing at the PC-I stage. He observed that frequent revisions in scope and cost point towards inadequate due diligence during initial planning, which must be addressed to ensure efficient utilization of public funds. The Minister directed the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination to include the construction of a mosque within the approved project cost, stressing that essential facility should be integrated at the planning stage without imposing additional financial burden. Two revised projects were approved by the CDWP, including “Development of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System (IDSRS) with Public Health Laboratories Network (PHLN) and Workforce Development for Transition of Field Epidemiology Training & Laboratory Program (FELTP)” worth Rs7.484 billion, and “Strengthening Points of Entry and Border Health Services Pakistan, Karachi (Earlier Directorate of Central Health Establishments)” worth Rs2.865 billion. While deliberating on the IDSRS project, the Minister categorically directed the Ministry of Health that this approval constituted the final revision and that no further revisions would be entertained by the forum. Another health sector project titled “Strengthening and Up-gradation of Cardiology Department and Others at Federal Government Polyclinic (PGMI) Hospital, Islamabad,” worth Rs2.175 billion, was also approved by the CDWP after detailed discussion. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026