1,500 Primary Units Upgraded Under Health Plan
103 facilities will become specialised centres for maternal, chronic and elderly care.
The Ministry of Health and Population is upgrading 1,500 primary healthcare units in densely populated areas and converting 103 facilities into centres of excellence to deliver integrated maternal and child services, chronic disease management, elderly care and support for children with disabilities.
Each centre is set to serve a defined geographic cluster covering between 12 and 20 primary care units, with the aim of improving service efficiency and expanding access across communities.
The plan forms part of a broader strategy to enhance primary healthcare services. A specialised programme focused on perinatal services has already contributed to reducing neonatal mortality rates by up to 22%, according to the ministry.
In the first phase, 45 centres and integrated hospitals are being developed into specialised facilities for childbirth and neonatal care, with a focus on improving service quality and reducing complications.
The programme also includes measures to ensure the regular presence of obstetrics and gynaecology specialists in primary health units, alongside making ultrasound services available to all pregnant women. Priorities include reducing caesarean delivery rates, strengthening neonatal care and safeguarding child health during the first 1,000 days of life.
