Staff Report
Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s health reforms agenda and implementation of national action plan will help developing a strong health system in line with international health regulations. In order to build national surveillance and response capacity, all stakeholders have been engaged to undertake the desired capacity building efforts. For the purpose, a strategic framework for public health laboratories network, integrated disease surveillance and response and legal framework for surveillance has been developed.
For effective reforms in the sector, the federal government had developed a National Action Plan (2019-23). Meanwhile, provincial departments of health (DOH) have also finalized provincial health sector strategies aligned to National Health Vision. The government has also established ‘emergency operation centres and coordination units’ for disease surveillance and response at federal and provincial level to provide meaningful information for actions.
Similarly, based on “One Health” approach, national and provincial focal points have been notified. A ‘national task force on heath’ was formed which is systematically reviewing key strategic priorities and functions to improve efficiency and effectiveness of health system.
“Concrete steps are being taken to ensure universal health coverage for having safer and healthier future of every citizen in the country,” Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Dr Faisal Sultan said.
He said universal health coverage under Sehat Cards would eventually revolutionalize the healthcare system and termed it a major step towards welfare state under sublime principles of Riyast-e-Madinah. “Health reforms introduced by the government were focused to improve quality of healthcare system by introducing reward and punishment system at government hospitals,” he added.
“The government will make more investment in health system to ensure protection from diseases utilizing all available resources.” The SAPM said the government has already provided free medical services to its citizens and is working on reform agenda to improve health sector performance. He mentioned that Ministry of National Health Services has completed work on a project ‘Benefit Package of Pakistan’ to support the health reforms agenda in the country. Initially the benefit package will be started in two districts of each province and an area of every region.
The government has also developed and approved first ever Health Strategy for Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) to ensure implementation of Islamabad Healthcare Model District, he said.
