Daily Times

Last week, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid introduced the Punjab Health Sector Strategy for the next 10 years in the presence of global experts on public health and international development agencies. Visibly, and not unsurprisingly, there was little media talk, for serious health reforms don’t sell big in media. It largely missed the gloss, though left a kaleidoscope of strong impressions for health connoisseurs.

Sustainable reforms have eluded Pakistanis for quite some time. Sceptics may stick to the staves, but optimists choose not to, for a valid reason now. Somewhere, there has to be a beginning. We have to move on, and we are already too late. This strategy precisely makes this a much-awaited beginning.

So came the Punjab Health Sector Strategy-theroadmap outlining our path for the next decade. Though it operates within the larger scheme of ‘Structural Functionalism’ governing the healthcare system in Punjab, it provides a list of deliverables, actions and areas, in no ambiguous terms, in the next 10 years.

The international development partners appreciated. Professionals know that a new strategy may not change things overnight, but it clearly defines the path, identifies the route and dimensions of the government, and highlights the enthusiasm of the minister and her team. Comprehensive planning has emerged as the core of modern project management. The Japanese model of development and its extraordinary emphasis on the planning phase is often cited for better outcomes.

These were the 10 areas identified with detailed interventions:

1: Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child Health, nutrition and family planning

2: Preventive Health Services to Communicable and non-communicable diseases

3: Patient safety and quality of care

4: Medicines and Biomedical Equipment

5: Health Management Information System

6: Health Governance and Accountability

7: Human Resource for Health

8: Healthcare Financing in Public Private Partnership

9: Health Disaster Management and Emergency Management

10: One Health Including Environmental Health

Visibly, and not unsurprisingly, there was little media talk, for serious health reforms don’t sell big in media

The new strategy lays down a phase-wise roadmap for the next 10 years, and addresses many major areas in the health sector. The strategy envisages increased equitable access to and of quality maternal and newborn child health, family planning, health, and nutrition across all public and private sector facilities.

This strategy is embedded in the Sehat Insaf Card, which goes parallel with all interventions. The minister knows that the issue here is the system that rewards privilege and privileges the rich-giving more opportunities, wealth and power to those who did not earn them, or have otherwise acquired them, while excluding others of access to resources.

We praise the Policy and Strategic Planning Unit (PSPU) for preparing a comprehensive strategy and incorporating assessments for the next 10 years. Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid declared in the event that only by proper planning and then implementing we can achieve the target of quality healthcare services in Punjab.

At the inauguration ceremony, Federal Minister for National Health Services and Regulations Dr ZafarMirza was also present. He spoke in detail about the roadmap, the objectives of free healthcare services for all and support of the federal institutions and organisations in implementation of the Punjab strategy. Minister for Population Welfare HashimDogar represented his department, fully aware of the importance of the family planning department and its relevance in the first objective related to nutrition and family planning.

Dr SaminSiddiqui, the international consultant for WHO, a colossus figure in public health, spoke on the occasion and gave a presentation on the preparation process. He said the strategy addresses all key areas in the health system. Programme Director PSPUShagfuta Jabeen is convinced that now the strategy is there, all we need is a focus on implementation. Visible changes, she believes, can be brought about in the department.

The writer is a programme development expert at the Punjab Health department