Efforts on to strengthen health system, minister tells WHO forum

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan on Tuesday said the Pakistan government is successfully implementing its reforms agenda to strengthen the country’s health system.

He stated this while addressing the participants of the 70th World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee meeting held in Cairo. Delegates from 22 countries attended the meeting.

He said that in order to achieve universal health coverage, by providing access to quality essential health services without financial hardship, Pakistan became the first country in the world to adopt disease control priorities (DCP), besides developing an essential package of health services at national and provincial levels.

The minister told the meeting that a cross-programmatic efficiency analysis has been completed in Pakistan to review support from Global Health Initiatives (GHI), including Global Fund to fight against AIDs, TB and malaria and Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation.

“We need to review the recommendations and start a reform process for effective use of GHI resources though an integrated approach,” he added.

The minister said the government has decided to increase the number of community-based lady health workers from 89,000 to 135,000 within five years, while creating more job opportunities in primary healthcare facilities along with engagement of private sector general practitioners for provision of essential health services.

He said a close coordination with the Afghanistan Polio Programme was being maintained for the vaccination of population on the move between the two countries and the ones residing in bordering areas and settlements.

Saudi support

While Pakistan has been making efforts to introduce health reforms and reduce its dependence on imported raw material for medicines and increase vaccine production capacity, Saudi Arabia has assured Islamabad of full support for the new health initiatives.

Assurance was given during a meeting between Dr Nadeem Jan and his Saudi counterpart Fahad bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel on the sidelines of the WHO summit.

According to a statement, Dr Jan said relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are based on common faith and aspirations.

“Dr Nadeem Jan discussed the possibility of mutual collaboration in the vaccine production capacity. The Saudi health minister offered to provide assistance and support in developing vaccine production capacity in Pakistan. Both the ministers agreed on exchange of expertise through a team of health experts to formalise the transfer of technology,” it stated.