The Balochistan Health Leadership Conference was successfully held over two days, on 12th and 13th July 2025, in Quetta. Organized by the Health Department Balochistan under the leadership of Minister of Health Mr. Bakht Muhammad Kakar, the conference brought together Medical Superintendents (MSs), District Health Officers (DHOs), District Support Managers (DSMs), Chief Executive Officers, Executive Directors, senior officials, and development partners.
The purpose of the conference was to align provincial healthcare priorities, introduce digital reform initiatives, foster accountability, and chart a unified path toward improved health service delivery in Balochistan. Key figures such as the Honourable Minister of Health, Secretary Health Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, and representatives from UNICEF actively participated in discussions and declarations.
Objectives
The primary objectives of the conference were:
- To introduce and scale up digital health solutions including pharmacy digitization, HRMIS, and AI attendance systems.
- To strengthen transparency and accountability in district- and hospital-level service delivery.
- To ensure timely provisioning of medicines and critical equipment.
- To finalize performance-linked protocols and guidelines for field and hospital staff.
- To implement and track reforms in HR management and infrastructure across all health tiers.
Day 1 Highlights: Medical Superintendents & Hospital Leadership
The first day focused on Medical Superintendents and hospital administrators. The conference opened with remarks from DG Health Dr. Amin Khan Mandokhel, Secretary Health Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, UNICEF Country Lead Mr. Scott Whoolery, and the Honourable Minister of Health Mr. Bakht Muhammad Kakar, who outlined the department’s vision for reform.
Key Themes:
- Hospital performance improvement and digital transformation.
- Implementation of the Healthcare Commission’s registration protocols.
- Introduction of a new software for pharmacy digitization.
- Emphasis on adherence to protocols for medicine availability and distribution.
Sessions Included:
- Strengthening the medicine supply chain.
- Hands-on training on pharmacy digitization.
- HRMIS and DHIS2 usage.
- AI Attendance Systems.
Day 2 Highlights: District Health Officers & District Support Managers
The second day was dedicated to DHOs and DSMs and began with a keynote by the Minister of Health, followed by speech from the Secretary Health.
Key Emphases:
- District-level performance monitoring and appraisal.
- Comprehensive monthly review meetings under the Minister’s chairmanship.
- Full integration with digital systems like HRMIS, DHIS2, and the Medicine Dashboard.
- Compliance with Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS).
- Coordinated planning with development partners.
Sessions Covered:
- Software familiarization for medicine digitization.
- Preventative nutrition initiatives.
- WASH infrastructure and energy sustainability.
- Digitized attendance and performance reporting.
Minister & Secretary Highlights
Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, during his keynote address, stressed the urgency of health sector reforms in Balochistan. He underscored the importance of:
- District-wise accountability.
- Transparency in recruitment and medicine distribution.
- Fast-tracking digitization and online reporting.
Secretary Health Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman highlighted the structural transformation of the Health Department, outlining a data-driven, service-oriented approach. He reiterated the Department’s commitment to full registration compliance, HR alignment, and digital transparency across all hospitals and district setups.
Declarations
Day 1: Medical Superintendents
- Mandatory Registration: All hospitals to register with the Balochistan Healthcare Commission within 15 days.
- Medicine Digitization: All medical stocks must be recorded on DHIS dashboard.
- Recruitment Compliance: Vacant positions to be submitted to divisional committees within 15 days.
- Data Sharing: Uninterrupted updates on DHIS2 to begin immediately.
- HR Data Verification: Reconciliation of HRMIS data to be completed within a week.
- Attendance Portal: MSs to notify focal persons, download the app, and ensure daily updates.
- Website Content: Assign focal points to update hospital websites.
- Social Media Integration: Hospitals to create and link their social media platforms to the Department’s website.
- Health Card Desks: Must be operational and provide daily reports.
- Vaccine Protocols: Strict adherence to ARV and ASV protocols is mandatory.
Day 2: DHOs and DSMs
- Performance Appraisals: Regular visits and disciplinary action for negligence.
- Preventive Programs: Comprehensive performance reviews and multisector consultations.
- Monthly Reviews: To be chaired by the Health Minister.
- HRMIS Reconciliation: To be completed within one week.
- Labor Room Readiness: Ensure ANC/PNC input availability in 15 days.
- Digitized Medicine Supply: Maintain records; regular dashboard updates mandatory.
- DHIS2 Data Sharing: Preparation time not to exceed one week.
- Delegated Recruitment: Share vacancies within 15 days for centralized appointments.
- BHUs & MSDS: Ensure all BHUs meet MSDS for inclusion in PSDP schemes.
Conclusion
The Balochistan Health Leadership Conference 2025 marks a pivotal milestone in transforming provincial healthcare. The two-day gathering demonstrated robust political will, administrative commitment, and operational clarity. The clear directives and declarations issued to DHOs, DSMs, and MSs promise a more accountable, digitized, and service-oriented health system in Balochistan.