THIS refers to the article ‘Health and the NSP’ (Jan 28). It is indeed a tremendous effort to have a citizen-centric National Security Policy (NSP), but without a well-equipped healthcare system and a little concern by policy-makers, a universal health security apparatus is still a far cry in Pakistan.
Taking an example from the NSP document, the health ministry should redraft a comprehensive national health security plan and develop a mechanism to ensure its impeccable implementation which may be in the shape of some cost-effective, efficient interventions which the health industry can make use of.
During the ongoing Covid pandemic, the plight of the national health security system was obvious as it was not geared to meet the challenges. This was so because the system is already carrying the burden of polio and public health emergencies.
The additional burden brought on by Covid hit the health officials badly and the health system is on the brink of collapse. There is a dire need to do something urgently, like, for instance, investment in all the three domains must be integrated into one centre of excellence encompassing the entire health security infrastructure. This may entail zero additional cost and make Pakistan ready to face any health-related challenge.
Syeda Hadia Bakhtawar
Nankana Sahib
Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2022
