22 October 2004	Friday	07 Ramazan 1425

KARACHI, Oct 21: The World Health Organization's representative to Pakistan, Dr Khalif Bille Mohammad, has proposed to the Sindh Health department to draw up a medium-term strategic plan of action for health intervention in the province , so that the desired outcome could be achieved.

He offered WHO's technical support in this regard at a meeting of the Ministry of Health, WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CSS) Mission with the Sindh health department held on Thursday.

Dr Mohammad mentioned that the WHO was in process of devising a strategy spanning over the next four to six years, based on conceptual rather than financial considerations, which could strike a balance between the national priorities and the WHO's capacity to address them.

He emphasized that the strategy would be in line with the National Health Policy.

The mission included Kumars Khush Chasam, an ex-WHO representative to Pakistan, Dr Akihiro Seita, Regional Advisor, WHO/EMRO, Dr Ashfaq Ahmed, Deputy Director-General, Health ministry and Dr Ghulam Nabi Kazi, WHO Operations Officers, Sindh.

The WHO representative explained that his organization provided strategic support as well as programmatic support to the government.

He appreciated the efforts of the Sindh government in controlling Tuberculosis, besides measures adopted for safe blood transfusion.

Mohammad Iqbal Deewan, Additional Secretary Health, appreciated the role of the WHO in promoting the health sector in the country, specially in Sindh.

Lauding the WHO's role in health interventions at the national, provincial and district levels, he said that the organization was initiating a paradigm shift by drawing up a medium-term plan.

Mr Dewan also highlighted the role of leadership and effective efforts towards attaining the mutually-shared objectives.

The director-general, Health Services, Sindh, Dr Hussain Bux Memon, described the current exercise as a 'highly productive' one, and thanked the WHO Mission, particularly for its support in polio eradication, TB-DOTS, HIV/AIDS and several other programmes.

He suggested that the integration of primary healthcare elements carried out in Sukkur district might be replicated in other districts as well by training paramedical staff and 'multi-purpose' workers.

Dr Memon pointed out that to overcome managerial gaps in various health programmes, it was necessary to develop human resources as made imperative by the devolution process.

K Khosh Chasham, speaking on the occasion, explained that the CSS was a new focus of the WHO to employ available all resources to match the national priorities.

He emphasized that the priorities should be well articulated, so that the collaborative efforts could be carried out with greater simplicity and harmonization.

It was also pointed out that the WHO would assist in developing a coordinating mechanism, so that all the critical areas including the control of non-communicable diseases could be addressed.

The director, Malaria Control Programme, Dr Nawaz Ali Kallar, director, TB Control Programme, Dr Iqtidar Ahmed, Provincial Primary Health Care Coordinator Dr Qazi Mujtaba Kamal, and deputy programme manager, EPI, Dr Khamisani and Dr Chachar associated with the AIDS Control, highlighted the achievements made and challenges faced by their respective programmes, and suggested ways of cooperation to enhance efficiency of the same.

Dr Ashfaq Ahmed, responding to a point raised, emphasized that the federal health ministry was keen to avoid duplication of efforts and wastage of resources.

Towards this end, he said, the ministry was planning a 'Donor Coordination Mechanism' shortly, to streamline the area in which the donors and international agencies could provide support.

The WHO representative lauded the adviser and health secretary for their commitment, and appreciated the participants for their inputs.

He suggested that the development of an essential health services package at the primary level that could encompass all the preventive programme and augment reproductive health facilities to reduce the infant mortality, maternal mortality and crucial indications.

Later, the mission also visited the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan. The CPSP President Prof M Sultan Farooqui highlighted the role of the department of Medical Education that has been working as a WHO Collaborating Centre for the last 25 years.-APP