ISLAMABAD: The National Health Policy Framework (NHPF), which develops policy guidelines and targets for provinces has not been updated since the devolution of the subject of health to provinces.

National Health Services (NHS) Minister Saira Afzal Tarar on Wednesday stressed the importance of developing NHPF as soon as possible, while addressing a meeting.

The national health policy was announced and developed by the health ministry before devolution in 2010. Following the 18th Amendment, the subject of health was devolved to the provinces and developing health policies became the purview of provincial health departments. However, it was decided to develop the NHPF to give a national vision to provinces and provide guidelines.

An NHS Ministry official, requesting anonymity, said all provinces have different priorities and peculiar issues regarding health, so technical groups were made for provinces which would develop guidelines for them.

“The technical groups are also consulting the provinces to understand the unique issues facing them. For example, in Punjab the problem of diseases being spread through contaminated water is a greater concern than Balochistan. After completion of the consultation process, recommendations will be given to finalise the NHPF,” he said.

Policy would serve as guideline for provinces

“Moreover, a number of responsibilities and jobs have changed hands during the last few years. Most importantly, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) has been established which is dealing with pricing and quality of medicines,” he said.

“In the past, Lady Health Workers worked under the federal ministry but now they are working under the provincial governments. The polio programme is run by the federal government but it is implemented by provinces so goals have to be set for all programmes which have been handed over to provinces or started recently by the federal government,” he said.

“A number of things have changed at the international level as well so it is necessary to revise health policies. The Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) are another thing which change from time to time, so new policies have to be announced,” the official said.

“It is expected that NHPF will be finalized before June 2015 and many health sector issues will be resolved if provinces start implementing the guidelines in the framework,” he added.

According to an official statement, Ms Tarar said it was essential to harmonize efforts and provide for a framework that would allow the NHS Ministry and provincial health departments to work in close coordination, according to their defined roles and responsibilities.

The Minister said the framework would provide a clear vision and road map for the health sector in Pakistan which is critical for the provision of quality health care services and prevention of disease.

During the meeting, the minister was told that a national data repository for the health sector is being developed in coordination with the provinces. The measure would facilitate policy making and planning.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2015

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