Health experts highlight features of new health policy
Express concern over population growth and its burden on economy
PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
Health experts said preventive medical care was a fundamental need to improve facilities and the ever-increasing population was a severe challenge on resources.
Punjab Minister for Health Dr Yasmin Rashid and Minister for Population Col (retd) Hashim Doggar co-chaired the workshop on Friday. The workshop also presented recommendations for a workable and new health policy. Health experts said the huge population was an elephant in a room and nothing could be changed without focusing on family planning.
Plea to replicate K-P health model in Punjab
Secretary Health Saqib Zaffer and eminent scholars from different walks of life were also present at the workshop.
The health experts said marriages of a premature age badly disturb the health structure and the government should consider the Iranian model of counseling before the wedding. They also noted that by improving mother and child health, many targets of general health could be achieved. Moreover, a strong political will was unavoidable for the strengthening of the health sector.’
In her key address, Dr Yasmin Rashid announced that the Punjab government would establish four mother and child hospitals at Attock, Mianwali, Bhakkar and Rajanpur. “Despite the law and order situation, we are sitting here to find out new vistas for improvement in the health sector. No matter how bad the situation is, we will not stop thinking about the betterment of our people,” she said.
“This consultative workshop is a preamble to the new health policy,” she said. She highlighted that health insurance schemes would be launched in December and each health card holder family would be provided coverage of up to Rs370,000. The health minister also announced the revival of the lady health workers cadre.
Punjab health closes 5,457 quack clinics across the province
While commending the commitment of Dr Yasmin Rashid, Col (retd) Hashim Doggar said he never saw such a brave and hardworking woman in his life. The minister also pledged that both the Health and Population Welfare Department would work jointly for the success of family planning schemes. He also appreciated the fact that Chief Justice of Pakistan took suo moto on the family planning issue.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2018.
Health experts said preventive medical care was a fundamental need to improve facilities and the ever-increasing population was a severe challenge on resources.
Punjab Minister for Health Dr Yasmin Rashid and Minister for Population Col (retd) Hashim Doggar co-chaired the workshop on Friday. The workshop also presented recommendations for a workable and new health policy. Health experts said the huge population was an elephant in a room and nothing could be changed without focusing on family planning.
Plea to replicate K-P health model in Punjab
Secretary Health Saqib Zaffer and eminent scholars from different walks of life were also present at the workshop.
The health experts said marriages of a premature age badly disturb the health structure and the government should consider the Iranian model of counseling before the wedding. They also noted that by improving mother and child health, many targets of general health could be achieved. Moreover, a strong political will was unavoidable for the strengthening of the health sector.’
In her key address, Dr Yasmin Rashid announced that the Punjab government would establish four mother and child hospitals at Attock, Mianwali, Bhakkar and Rajanpur. “Despite the law and order situation, we are sitting here to find out new vistas for improvement in the health sector. No matter how bad the situation is, we will not stop thinking about the betterment of our people,” she said.
“This consultative workshop is a preamble to the new health policy,” she said. She highlighted that health insurance schemes would be launched in December and each health card holder family would be provided coverage of up to Rs370,000. The health minister also announced the revival of the lady health workers cadre.
Punjab health closes 5,457 quack clinics across the province
While commending the commitment of Dr Yasmin Rashid, Col (retd) Hashim Doggar said he never saw such a brave and hardworking woman in his life. The minister also pledged that both the Health and Population Welfare Department would work jointly for the success of family planning schemes. He also appreciated the fact that Chief Justice of Pakistan took suo moto on the family planning issue.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2018.