Greenstar Social Marketing Pakistan, in collaboration with the Government of Punjab and with support from the German Development Bank (KfW), held the dissemination ceremony of the programme titled “Self-Employment of Women in the Private Health Sector, Punjab.”
The event was graced by Madam Saira Afzal Tarar, Coordinator to the Chief Minister for Health and Population, Punjab, as the Chief Guest. Dr. Khalid Mehmood, Director General Health & Population Punjab, and Dr. Syed Ali Mehdi, Director General Health & Population South Punjab, attended as Guests of Honour.
Implemented across 14 districts of Punjab, the programme was executed in close coordination with the Department of Health & Population Punjab, which provided technical guidance and support to integrate women-led private clinics into the broader public health system. The initiative aimed to empower qualified women healthcare providers by supporting the establishment and sustainability of private clinics delivering essential primary healthcare, maternal and child health (MNCH), and family planning services.
Addressing the ceremony, Madam Saira Afzal Tarar stated that Chief Minister Punjab Madam Maryam Nawaz envisions empowering women and bringing them into the economic mainstream by ensuring access to health and education services at the Union Council level. She welcomed the initiative supported by the Government of Germany through KfW and implemented by Greenstar Social Marketing Pakistan, terming it a strong example of an effective public–private partnership. She noted that the programme has not only expanded access to primary healthcare and MNCH services but has also created self-employment opportunities for trained community midwives, helping save lives by reducing reliance on untrained birth attendants. She appreciated the Government of Germany and Greenstar for successfully completing the project and bringing quality healthcare closer to underserved communities.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Syed Ali Mehdi, DG Health & Population South Punjab, highlighted that South Punjab faces significant development challenges and requires expanded healthcare coverage. He emphasized that the programme strongly complements government efforts to extend primary healthcare and MNCH services to underserved areas. He also appreciated Greenstar’s close coordination with district health authorities and underscored the project’s dual impact of creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for trained women healthcare providers while improving access to essential health services at the community level.
The programme stands as a testament to how strategic collaboration between government, development partners, and the private sector can strengthen primary healthcare systems, economically empower women, and sustainably improve health outcomes across Punjab.
