LAHORE: Communities cannot be strengthened unless their issues related to health and nutrition are resolved through multi-sectoral approach, said experts at a consultative seminar arranged by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) regarding its Empowerment Voice and Accountability for Better Health and Nutrition (EVA-BHN) project here on Friday.

Dr Akhtar Rasheed, the project’s Punjab manager, gave a brief review of its activities in Lahore, Sahiwal, Muzaffargarh, Layyah and Bhakkar districts and shared the progress of District Advocacy Forum.

Dr Rasheed said the EVA-BHN is a citizen-centric intervention to enable citizens to play an active role in governance of the health system through proactive engagement. It aimed at mobilising citizens, take stock of health services available at the local level and engage through evolving charter of demands at district and provincial levels.

Panelist included Policy Analyst Salman Abid, Punjab Policy and Strategic Planning Unit Programme Director Ali Bahadur Qazi and MPAs Shunila Ruth and Saira Iftikhar.

The meeting was presided over by Health Services Director General Dr Zahid Pervaiz and participants included representatives of the health department, UN agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and the district bar association, media and trade unions.

Dr Pervaiz appreciated efforts of organisers for convening the advocacy forum with a citizens’ perspective. He endorsed the formation of Provincial Advocacy Forum and said proposed consultative meeting was a first step towards this approach.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2015

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