Fighting Privatisation Health Workers in Pakistan Resist Healthcare Privatisation
Health unions across Pakistan's most populous state, Punjab, have launched widespread protests under the umbrella of Grand Health Alliance (GHA). The provincial government has decided to privatise public health services, including essential primary healthcare facilities. The unions are demanding roll back of the decision and a seat on the table to work towards pro-worker and pro-people alternatives.
Jyotsna Singh
Health sector unions in the state of Punjab in Pakistan, supported by PSI, are strongly opposing the government's recent decision to privatise public health services. The policy, announced in March, includes outsourcing the operations of Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centres (RHCs) — facilities that serve as the foundation of primary healthcare in the province. Public hospitals will also be privatised, according to the announcement. This decision has triggered state-wide protests, led by health workers concerned about the impact on workers, patients and the public health system.
Punjab is home to over 2,500 BHUs and 300 RHCs, which are vital for delivering healthcare in rural and low-income communities. Privatising these institutions would make healthcare more expensive and less accessible, especially for the poor. It also raises concerns about transparency, service quality, and the rights of health workers, who could face wage cuts, job insecurity, and deteriorating working conditions under a privatised system.
Unions have mobilised under the banner of the Grand Health Alliance (GHA), initiating a sit-in protest in front of the Punjab Assembly in Lahore from April 7. With support from PSI and its affiliates, the movement continues to gain momentum. The protestors are demanding a halt to privatisation and a serious, inclusive dialogue with health workers’ representatives to explore alternatives that strengthen — rather than dismantle — the public healthcare system. PSI has also formally communicated these concerns to the Chief Minister of Punjab.
A 2024 University of Oxford study published in The Lancet adds weight to the workers’ concerns, showing that privatised healthcare institutions often reduce staff, lower hygiene standards, and drive up patient costs — leading to worse health outcomes and increased mortality. PSI and allied unions are calling on the government to reconsider its approach and instead invest in a public health system that protects access, quality, and equity for all.
Please find below PSI's Letter to the Chief Minister of Punjab urging her to reverse the decision and hold dialogue with the Unions. PSI has also issued a Press Release supporting the protesters.