ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Friday took serious notice of absence of doctors during duty hours, and the shortage of medical equipment in the government hospitals.

Recommending equitable access to healthcare for all citizens, the committee also pointed out gaps and substandard conditions within the healthcare sector.

The committee expressed its concerns over poor performance of Pakistan Nursing Council, urging immediate improvements. The Committee suggested integrating sensitization and awareness programs into the national educational curriculum.

This initiative aims to inform the younger generation about disease prevention early on and to promote a healthier future. The committee proposed establishing a robust health data management system to enhance monitoring and resource allocation.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination proposed strategic moves to elevate nation’s healthcare system.

With a comprehensive agenda featuring transformative initiatives and critical assessments, the committee underscored a renewed commitment for building a healthier future for all citizens.

The 2nd meeting of the Standing Committee was held with Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani in the chair. The meeting was attended by MNAs, Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Farah Naz Akbar, Dr. Shaista Khan, Dr. Darshan, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Sabheen Ghoury, Gul Asghar Khan, Farukh Khan, Dr. Amjad Ali Khan, Shahram Khan, M. Shabbir Ali Qureshi and Aliya Kamran.

Additionally, the meeting included participation of Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, along with senior officials from the Ministry.

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination officials provided a comprehensive overview of its functions and the attached departments. Both the Standing Committee and the Ministry acknowledged the critical role the Committee plays in enhancing national health services and emphasized on mutual cooperation.

During the briefing, the ministry highlighted several ongoing and new initiatives aimed at improving health services across the country. Recognising the federal roles in health, which are distributed across various divisions, the ministry stressed the necessity of a state-level response to meet international health commitments.

The committee directed the mMinistry to ensure the availability of doctors and trained nursing staff during duty hours and restoring the Sehat Sahulat Programme at the federal level.

The committee reiterated that these steps are essential for improving the overall quality and accessibility of health services in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2024