Our Impact & Core Values
We aim for a national level impact in terms of achieving UHC, improving healthcare culture and approaches while focusing on international collaboration for increased learning.
A School of Public Health with a Difference!
Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University
Explore Our Vision Brochure - Leadership for UHC Course Apply Now - Course on Leadership for UHCThe Shifa School of Universal Health Coverage (SSUHC) is a bold and timely initiative under Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University (STMU), envisioned to reform public health education, training and research and drive Pakistan—and other low- and middle-income countries—toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Under the third Sustainable Development Goal, all UN nations have agreed to achieve UHC by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for Universal Health Coverage.
We believe that access to quality health care is a human right, and not just a privilege. Our mission is rooted in achieving UHC, as described by WHO, where "all people and communities can use the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective, while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user to financial hardship."
Across the developing world, health systems face chronic gaps—limited access, poor quality of care, fragmented services, inadequate financing and undertrained health professionals. Pakistan is no exception.
While governments increasingly recognize UHC as a national priority, public health education and practice remain outdated, misaligned with national health needs, and disconnected from health system realities. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the urgency of building resilient, equitable, and people-centered health systems.
SSUHC is the first school of its kind in the developing world, established within a premier private university, STMU, and linked to a world-class healthcare system at Shifa International Hospitals Ltd.
A private sector model contributing to public health reform through innovation, evidence and education.
Integration with STMU's rich academic ecosystem of medicine, nursing, public health, research, computing, biosciences, management, education, and law.
Programs designed not for theory alone—but for leadership, policy influence, and health system transformation.
Commitment to digital health, blended learning, and on-the-ground impact.
Strong ties with national institutions and global organizations to bridge policy and best-practice.
To be a leading private sector institution in the developing world for need-based public health education, training, practice and research, and system transformation aligned with quality Primary Healthcare (qPHC)-based UHC.
SSUHC will help societies advance toward UHC by:
We aim for a national level impact in terms of achieving UHC, improving healthcare culture and approaches while focusing on international collaboration for increased learning.
SSUHC offers a multi-modal, blended, learning environment, ensuring accessibility, relevance, and excellence:
Certificate & Diploma Programs in UHC leadership, Quality PHC and related areas that are needed but where our mainstream education and training is deficient e.g. responsible health journalism, pharmaceutical and health technology regulation, AI and digital health, climate change and health.
Planned launch of MSc programs in Public Health, Health Policy, Health System and UHC.
Operationalization of a smart SSUHC office and research grant portfolio through working closely with STMU "Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization".
Global partnerships and placements to ensure real life work experience for our graduates.
Establishment of an Active Alumni Network and involving Alumni members in future academic and project implementation activities, nationally and internationally.
As part of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, SSUHC benefits from:
Integration with Shifa International Hospitals Ltd., which are JCI-accredited facilities.
A robust academic network including schools of medicine, nursing, computing, biosciences, mental health and social sciences.
Access to top faculty, local expertise, and international collaborations.
This ecosystem enables SSUHC to deliver education with academic rigor, policy relevance, and real-world applicability.
SSUHC will work across ten strategic areas to achieve impact:
If you are a health professional, policymaker, researcher, student, or development partner who believes in health for all, then SSUHC is your home.
We invite you to learn with us, collaborate with us, and build with us—a better, fairer, and healthier future for Pakistan and the world.