Punjab to launch digital health and demographic mapping initiative

Further details have been released on Punjab's digital health census, which is being conducted under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Community Health Inspectors Programme. Officials report that Punjab has become the first province to digitally map the health and demographic profiles of its citizens.

The programme is reportedly nearing completion, with over 85 percent of the population in 18 districts covered. According to the data, five districts have achieved 100 percent coverage, and another five have completed over 95 percent of profiling. In total, nearly 94.3 million health and demographic profiles have been registered across the province.

During the data collection phase, 14,300 Community Health Inspectors conducted door-to-door visits, assigning a unique identification number to every household. The collected information includes citizens’ medical history, demographic and socio-economic data, lifestyle, access to drinking water, and any disabilities.

The chief minister, who reviewed the programme's digital dashboard, was informed that a modern disaster recovery site would be established to ensure the security of the health database. During the same meeting, it was noted that 16 cardiac catheterisation (Cath) labs would be made operational across Punjab by December. Five are currently functional, with facilities in Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar, and Layyah set to become operational soon. The chief minister also directed that Phase-II Cath Labs in eight additional districts be completed by the end of July.