Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Health Services Academy (HSA) will host a national conference on enhancing Pakistan’s health system and the impact of healthcare delivery workforce.
The conference will promote dialogue on strengthening the country’s healthcare system through investment in healthcare professionals and improved service delivery.
The conference will bring together healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, academics, and representatives of professional bodies, including the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA).
Prominent participants included PMA Islamabad President Prof. Akhtar Bandesha, HSA Vice Chancellor Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, Director ORIC HSA Prof. Babar Shaikh, HOD Department of Public Mental Health HSA Prof. Abid Malik, and Organizing Lead VDPH Conference Prof. Ikhlaq Ahmad.
According to organizers, the conference aims to provide a platform for collaboration and evidence-based discussions on improving healthcare delivery and strengthening Pakistan’s health workforce.
The themes of the conference have been developed in light of research submissions and emerging national health priorities.
Discussions will focus on best practices for doctors and healthcare providers working in high-pressure environments such as intensive care units, while managing vulnerable populations and time-sensitive healthcare situations.
Special attention will also be given to the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers facing challenging workplace conditions.
Participants will discuss the important role of community health workers in bridging the gap between health policy and implementation at the grassroots level.
Experts will also examine structural challenges affecting working conditions in the health sector and their impact on service delivery.
The conference will further highlight the significance of the One Health approach in addressing zoonotic diseases and public health emergencies, emphasizing the critical role of healthcare workers in maintaining essential health services.
Sessions on ethical practices in medical research and clinical care will also be held to promote professionalism, accountability, and patient-centered healthcare.
Interactive group discussions will focus on workforce retention, workplace challenges, leadership and training, as well as governance and policy reforms for strengthening Pakistan’s healthcare workforce.
Poster presentations featuring innovative research and practical experiences related to health systems strengthening will also be displayed during the conference.
Organizers expressed the hope that the conference would help develop evidence-informed recommendations and collaborative strategies for building a resilient, equitable, and responsive healthcare system in Pakistan.
