By Hina Kiyani
ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) emphasised that diabetes, HIV, Hepatitis C, neonatal mortality and malnutrition must be treated as national emergencies, stressing that prevention, screening, treatment and measurable disease reduction outcomes should take precedence over construction of new buildings and expansion of non-critical infrastructure.
The Committee, on Tuesday met under the Chairmanship of Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA, to consider the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) proposals for the Financial Year 2025–26 and review ongoing and proposed projects of the Ministry and its attached departments. The Committee examined 33 new projects, including 19 Ministry schemes and 10 Prime Minister’s directives, said a press release.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Ms Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Ms Farah Naz Akbar, Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Dr Shaista Khan, Dr Nikhat Shakeel Khan, Ms Aliya Kamran, Ms Farukh Khan, Dr Darshan and Ms Sabheen Ghoury. Senior officials from the Ministry of NHSR&C and its attached departments also participated in the deliberations. The Committee issued a clear direction that national health resources must be redirected from excessive infrastructure expansion towards addressing the most pressing health crises facing the country.
The Committee rejected most of the newly proposed PSDP schemes and directed to prioritise completion of ongoing and critical projects to reduce pendency, avoid cost escalation and improve performance indicators. Members observed that repeated project revisions, prolonged delays and premature inclusion of unapproved schemes were undermining efficiency and public trust.
Committee identified National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), upgradation of Basic Health Units (BHUs) and others as priority schemes, directing that these high-impact projects be placed at the top of the priority list in consultation with the Planning Division.
The committee was informed regarding BHUs operations for limited hours and lacked manpower. The Committee directed the Ministry to form a committee and submit a detailed report on functional status, manpower gaps, 24/7 coverage plan and performance metrics of BHUs and RHCs before further funding.
Regarding Hepatitis C allocations, the Committee directed that hotspot data, chronic patient treatment plans and detailed screening targets be shared.
On HIV, the Committee was informed that 84,400 patients were currently on treatment against an estimated figure exceeding three lakh nationally. Members stressed the need for increased funding, national prevalence surveys, improved provincial coordination and stronger preventive interventions.
The Committee also discussed diabetes prevention, noting Pakistan’s alarming prevalence rate. It was emphasised that awareness campaigns, screening mechanisms and preventive strategies must be accelerated and monitored closely.
DRAP was directed to appear in the next meeting regarding drug inspector shortages and compliance gaps.
