Infection prevention and control (IPC) has always been a critical but often overlooked part of health care in Pakistan. Despite the dedication of frontline health workers, many facilities have lacked the systems, structures, and resources to prevent the spread of infections within hospitals. The urgency to act became even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed how quickly weak IPC systems can lead to larger health crises. From basic hand hygiene to sterilization practices, gaps across the health system put both patients and providers at risk, especially in high-traffic public hospitals.
With support from The Global Fund, a collaborative team called a common management unit launched a national initiative in Pakistan aimed at improving IPC and establishing a system to monitor health care-associated infections. Of the 100 tertiary care hospitals assigned to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by The Global Fund for the implementation of IPC level 1 practices, Jhpiego provided technical and implementation support to 10 tertiary care hospitals in Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Under this program, Jhpiego supported the formation of IPC committees and teams at the hospital level and trained health care providers to embed IPC practices into day-to-day operations.
But to truly drive change, health facilities needed something more—a way to measure, track, and sustain improvements over time. So Jhpiego developed an IPC Dashboard.
The IPC Dashboard is a data collection tool that has emerged as a turning point for health facilities across Pakistan. Built during the pilot phase of the program using global assessment tools such as the Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF) and the Observation Tool (IPCAT), the dashboard enables hospitals to assess their IPC readiness in real time and take evidence-based actions. It collects baseline data from tertiary hospitals and stores it at the National Health Data Centre, creating a single source of truth for IPC performance across provinces and serving as an integral tool to monitor and evaluate the country’s IPC program.
What makes the dashboard truly transformative is its accessibility and ease of use. Health care staff, even in remote areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, can enter data offline using mobile-friendly forms, which automatically sync once internet access is restored. This ensures that no facility is left behind due to connectivity issues. Real-time visualization helps district and national authorities identify gaps and monitor progress. From hand hygiene stations to waste disposal practices, every detail is monitored and logged.
Perhaps the most empowering feature is the Digital Action Point Tracker, which enables hospitals to track improvements and follow up on IPC gaps over time. Recommendations are no longer lost in reports—now, they’re tracked, monitored, and closed with accountability. The dashboard also connects to the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) training database, aligning staff development efforts with actual facility needs and promoting smarter resource allocation.
Key features include:
The impact is already clear. Hospitals are using the dashboard not only to improve internal practices but to spark a culture shift where IPC is seen not as an extra task, but as a core responsibility. For health care workers, this tool has brought clarity, structure, and purpose to their infection control efforts. And for policymakers, it offers the data needed to make real-time decisions that protect lives.
This pilot is more than a technical milestone—it’s a step toward building a safer, smarter, and more responsive health system for all.
This article was also reviewed by Dr. Hamza Tanveer and Syed Muhammad Akbar Gardezi.
