ISLAMABAD: On the directions of health minister Dr Nadeem Jan, a 16-member National Health and Population Advisory Committee was on Tuesday constituted to deal with health and population related technical matters and reforms.

The committee is chaired by Professor Dr Zulfiqar Ali Bhutta and comprises Dr Amjad Saqib, Dr Kaleemullah Thaheem, Dr Waqar Ajmal, Professor Shamsullah Bazai, Dr Arshad Rehan, Professor Dr Masud Sadiq, Dr Rana Jawad Asghar, Dr Juman Bahoto, Dr Haroon Jahangir Khan, Professor Dr Hameedullah, Dr Shehzad Ali Khan, Dr Malik Mohammad Safi, Dr Yasmin Qazi, Dr Nabila Ali and Dr Baseer Khan Achakzai, who is also Director General Ministry of National Health Services (NHS).

Dr Achakzai, while talking to Dawn, said prominent figures having experience in all important fields had been inducted into the committee. He hoped that they will play their role in the betterment of the health sector.

“Over the years, especially after Covid-19, health has become the most important sector as it has direct impact on national and international level. We will ensure that there should be coherence at the provincial level. It will be very important from global health and security point of view. Because of the committee, the ministry will be able to get reports about the situation in hospitals,” he said.

Committee to suggest reforms, especially on governance, performance, says DG health

Replying to a question, Dr Achakzai said that although Pakistan got ample vaccine and donations to combat diseases such as polio, measles, it hardly received any donation for contraceptives to control population growth.

“We have been hoping that the committee members will play their role in bringing funding for population control,” he said.

According to a document, the terms of reference (ToR) of the committee is to review the current health and population policies, strategies and health systems while considering global, regional and national priorities, to identify gaps and challenges at national level and make recommendations for strategic and programmatic reforms in the health sector.

Appraisal of the current international health regulation status and capacities to propose reforms at the strategic level to ensure effective response during health emergencies and pandemics are also on the agenda of the committee.

The committee will also assess universal health coverage and well-being status in Pakistan with a focus on reproductive, maternal and child health, nutrition, infectious diseases, including polio and vaccine preventable and non-communicable diseases, especially in rural areas, and recommend improvements.

The members will also play their role in efficient funding for federal health institutions. They will deliberate on health systems, requirements, but not limited to medical, dental, nursing and ancillary healthcare in Pakistan and make recommendations specially to ensure adequate availability of healthcare personnel and infrastructure.

The committee will review the functioning of all pharmaceutical, healthcare and health workforce regulatory authorities, including allopathic, traditional and complementary medicines, and will suggest appropriate reforms and advice, especially on governance and performance.

Based on its findings, the forum shall identify key shortcomings in the provision of healthcare to the citizens and recommend feasible solutions to overcome these shortcomings.

EU ambassador meets minister

Meanwhile, European Union Ambassador Riina Kionka met Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan on Tuesday.

“The European Union provided full support in the rehabilitation of the flood victims. The eradication of polio is the topmost priority of the caretaker government. Health ministry is in contact with Afghanistan for joint integrated strategy at the border to eliminate polio,” the minister said.

It was decided that the EU will hold a meeting with the nutrition cell of the health ministry to cooperate in the nutrition programme.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2023