Gilgit Baltistan is a mountainous region located in the northern part of Pakistan. The region is known for its natural beauty and unique culture. When it comes to education and health services in Gilgit Baltistan, there are some challenges due to the region’s remote and rugged terrain. However, efforts are being made to improve the situation.

Education Services:

Governments haven’t invested a lot in high-quality education in this area since it gained independence in 1947. Even though the literacy rates in Gilgit are greater than those in the majority of Pakistani cities, no professional universities have been built there. A general university name Karakoram International University was built in 2002 during the rule of Pervez Musharaff. The Aga Khan Development Network is one of the international NGOs that built a number of primary schools. There are several government-run schools and colleges in the region, along with some private educational institutions. The government of Pakistan has also launched various initiatives to increase access to education in Gilgit Baltistan, including the establishment of new schools and colleges, upgrading existing facilities, and providing scholarships to students.

The government of Pakistan has taken several initiatives in the education sector in Gilgit Baltistan. Here are some of them:

•           Education Sector Plan: The government of Pakistan has launched a comprehensive Education Sector Plan for Gilgit Baltistan with the aim of providing quality education to all the students in the region. This plan includes the provision of infrastructure, training of teachers, and the development of curricula.

•           Education Emergency Plan: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Pakistan launched an Education Emergency Plan for Gilgit Baltistan. This plan aims to ensure the continuity of education through remote learning, teacher training, and the provision of digital devices to students.

•           Special Education Zones: The government of Pakistan has established Special Education Zones in Gilgit Baltistan to improve the quality of education. These zones provide specialized training to teachers and support for students with disabilities.

•           Provision of Scholarships: The government of Pakistan provides scholarships to students from Gilgit Baltistan to encourage them to pursue higher education. These scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other educational expenses.

•           Girls’ Education: The government of Pakistan has launched several initiatives to promote girls’ education in Gilgit Baltistan. These initiatives include the provision of transportation facilities, the establishment of girls’ schools, and the recruitment of female teachers.

•           Vocational Training: The government of Pakistan has established vocational training centers in Gilgit Baltistan to provide technical education and training to students. These centers offer courses in various fields such as carpentry, welding, and computer science.

Overall, the government of Pakistan has taken significant steps to improve the education sector in Gilgit Baltistan. However, more needs to be done to ensure that every student has access to quality education.

In addition, there are some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) that are working to improve education in the region. These organizations are working to provide better infrastructure, teacher training, and educational materials to schools in remote areas.

Health Services:

Access to healthcare is a significant challenge in Gilgit Baltistan. The region is sparsely populated, and many areas are difficult to reach due to the rugged terrain. However, there are several government-run hospitals and clinics in the region, along with some private healthcare facilities.

The Government of Pakistan has taken several initiatives in the healthcare sector in Gilgit Baltistan to improve the health status of the people living in the region. Some of these initiatives are:

•           Establishment of Hospitals: The government has established several hospitals and healthcare centers in different parts of Gilgit Baltistan to provide healthcare services to the local population.

•           Health Insurance Scheme: The government has launched a health insurance scheme for the poor and vulnerable population in Gilgit Baltistan. Under this scheme, the government provides health insurance coverage to the registered beneficiaries, enabling them to access medical services free of cost.

•           Immunization Campaigns: The government regularly conducts immunization campaigns in Gilgit Baltistan to protect children from preventable diseases such as polio, measles, and hepatitis.

•           Maternal and Child Health Programs: The government has implemented several maternal and child health programs in Gilgit Baltistan to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. These programs include the provision of antenatal care, skilled attendance at birth, and postnatal care.

•           Medical Education: The government has established medical colleges and nursing schools in Gilgit Baltistan to train healthcare professionals and increase the number of qualified healthcare workers in the region.

•           Mobile Health Units: The government has launched mobile health units to provide healthcare services to people living in remote and hard-to-reach areas of Gilgit Baltistan.

•           Mental Health Services: The government has established mental health facilities in Gilgit Baltistan to provide mental health services to the local population.

The government of Pakistan has taken significant steps to improve the healthcare system in Gilgit Baltistan and ensure that people in the region have access to quality healthcare services.

In addition, there are some NGOs and CBOs that are working to improve healthcare in the region. These organizations are working to provide better infrastructure, medical equipment, and training to healthcare professionals in remote areas.

in conclusion, there are some challenges when it comes to education and health services in Gilgit Baltistan, but efforts are being made to improve the situation. With continued investment and support from the government and other organizations, it is hoped that access to education and healthcare in the region will continue to improve.