This is with reference to the World Health Worker’s Week starting from April 8 to 12. This initiative was started in 2013 by the Health Workforce Advocacy Initiative (HWAI) and World Health Organization (WHO) to advocate for a healthier world. The day will be celebrated again in the upcoming week to induce local communities and relevant policy makers to acknowledge the efforts of health workers for saving precious lives worldwide.
In this realm, I would like to emphasize relevant stakeholders on celebrating this week in Pakistan as well.
This is because; health professionals especially Lady Health Workers (LHWs) and Community Midwives (CMWs) have a pivotal role towards improving the health indicators of the country.
Prevalent social and cultural barriers especially in rural parts have been consistently affecting them from fulfilling their job duties in field but still there is no change in their commitment.
Moreover, Pakistan is at the verge of achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially those related to mother and child health.
Country has shown insufficient progress and is off track on achieving all health indicators and therefore unlikely to achieve MDG 4 and 5.
Owing to the current situation, there is a requisite need to acknowledge and support the role of health workers to address the issues behind deprived status of mother and health in the country.
In this regard, celebration of Global Health Worker’s Week gives an imperative opportunity to bring attention to gaps in the health workforce by calling on those in power to ensure that health workers have the training, supplies and support they need to do their jobs effectively.
AMINA SARWAR
Islamabad
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