Nur Center for Research and Policy (NCRP) in collaboration with Fatima Memorial Hospital held a seminar to challenge the health manifestos of leading political parties prior to the general elections in the country.
The seminar was attended by political party representative, hospital directors from public and private hospitals, healthcare institutions, members of Pakistan Medical Association, the healthcare community and the members of the media.
Dr Yasmeen Rashid of Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaaf and Dr Zia Ullah Bangash of Pakistan People’s Party spoke on the health manifestos of their respective parties and the implication they had on Punjab and Pakistan should they be elected.
Fatima Memorial College Principal Prof Humayun Maqsood, Dr Tanweer Anwar of the Pakistan Medical Association along with development partners and donor agencies shared their health mandates and their upcoming programs at the seminar.
In conclusion, recommendations were formulated for the provincial health reform mandate after a collaborative process by the NCRP. These reforms were along the 6 pillars of health system defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) i.e. health service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, access to essential medicines, health systems financing, leadership and governance.
The Punjab provincial health department is currently engaged in drafting its provincial health policy which broadly aims at provision of affordable, accessible and quality health care to the people of Punjab in an equitable manner.