State Life and Pakistan’s healthcare transformation

The State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLIC) has become synonymous with healthcare transformation in the country, far surpassing its role as a traditional insurance provider.

With a vision to ensure equitable healthcare for all, State Life’s initiatives have touched millions of lives. From its key role in the implementation of the social health protection programme to its life-saving efforts during the female cancer awareness campaign, State Life continues to redefine what it means to protect and empower the nation’s most vulnerable populations.

At the annual SLIC summit, held on August 22, the organisation’s dedication to improving healthcare access was discussed, highlighting both its achievements and its future goals.

Inaugurated by Federal Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, the summit brought together healthcare leaders, policymakers and changemakers. Khan, reflecting on his tenure as the chief minister of Balochistan, where he launched the Balochistan Health Programme, praised SLIC’s monumental role in advancing healthcare delivery across Pakistan.

He emphasised SLIC’s commitment to data-driven strategies, which have been pivotal in identifying healthcare gaps and forming both federal and provincial policies. He noted how State Life’s approach to using real-time data -- whether to map disease trends or identify underserved regions -- provides vital assistance to the federal and provincial governments in timely and informed decision-making, enhancing the effectiveness of healthcare initiatives and ensuring that resources are directed where they are needed the most.

The Social Health Protection Programme initiative in Pakistan was ardently taken up by the federal and provincial governments and successfully implemented by State Life. The coverage has now reached over 180 million people, guaranteeing access to essential healthcare services without the financial burden, a feat recognised globally, including the UN World Health Assembly and internationally renowned medical journal, Lancet.

During the summit, the head of the Health Division at State Life, praised the role of respective government authorities in ensuring success of the social health programme. He remarked that the unprecedented adoption of social health initiatives by both the federal and provincial governments mark a significant milestone in Pakistan’s healthcare history. This widespread accessibility is crucial for ensuring equitable healthcare access and safeguarding vulnerable populations from crippling medical expenses.

Beyond these regional successes, State Life has shown a profound commitment to addressing one of the nation’s most pressing health crises: female cancer. As part of its ongoing efforts, SLIC launched the Female Cancer Awareness Campaign, held from October 1 to October 9, 2024. This groundbreaking campaign, focused on the early detection and prevention of female cancers, is aimed at educating women and providing them with the resources they need to protect their health.

As the SLIC summit concluded, it became clear that State Life is not just an insurance company, it is a catalyst for change. Covering over 180 million Pakistanis, SLIC has solidified its position as one of the leading organisations, symbolising what is possible when vision meets action.

The writer is a freelance contributor.