ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal and Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) to assess the progress on the One Patient, One ID digital health initiative.

The visit aimed to review the implementation of the unified patient identification system, which seeks to streamline patient data and improve healthcare service delivery through digital transformation, according to a statement issued on Thursday.

Both ministers inspected the OPD registration counters, interacted with staff and were briefed by the Pims administrations on the project’s status.

Minister Mustafa Kamal also visited departments linked with the new system, including radiology, pathology, laboratories and doctors’ consultation rooms to evaluate performance and identify bottlenecks.

“Whenever a new system is introduced, initial hurdles are expected,” said the minister.

“The real issue is not the presence of problems, but the failure to resolve them. All challenges obstructing the implementation of One Patient, One ID must be addressed on a fast-track basis.”

He directed Pims Executive Director Rana Imran Sikandar to issue immediate instructions to all heads of departments to compile and report complaints or operational issues specific to their departments.

“Each department head should be fully aware of the complaints within their area and take ownership of the solution process,” he emphasised.

Moreover, the statement said Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Health to advance digital transformation in the healthcare sector.

“In a digital society, health is a critical pillar. The One Patient, One ID system will bring transparency, accessibility and efficiency to healthcare governance,” she said.

She emphasised that digital health solutions will consolidate patient data in one place, making healthcare services more effective through digital identity integration.

“Our goal is to deliver seamless, citizen-centric healthcare through technology. The public will be the direct beneficiaries of these reforms,” she concluded.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2025