PM vows medical access for all

ISLAMABAD:

On this year’s World Health Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday renewed his government’s commitment to the provision of medical facilities to all of the country’s population.

In his message on the occasion, the premier wrote that this year’s theme of the day – “My health, my right”—“aptly encapsulates every citizen’s right to quality health services”.

“In order to ensure health for all and as promised to the nation in the PML-N manifesto, our focus would remain on improving primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare, medical education, preventive healthcare and improved governance,” he added.

“We will partner and encourage provincial governments to expand and upgrade health facilities, launch mobile health clinics for enhanced access, re-energise immunisation and improve mental health services.”

PM Shehbaz pointed out that the establishment and operationalisation of Medical City, Cancer Care Hospital as well as Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute facilities in each province remained the government’s key priority.

“We take pride in having launched the Health Card during PML-N’s 2013-18 tenure.”

The premier said his government remained committed to universal health coverage and universal health insurance for our population, particularly providing free-of-charge healthcare services to low and middle-income families.

“On this World Health Day, I applaud the services of our health professionals, paramedical staff, nurses, and other health workers who selflessly work day and night to provide health services to the nation. Towards our destination of a healthier nation, I once again reiterate the commitment to transform Pakistan’s healthcare sector at all levels that will ensure that each and every Pakistani has access to quality healthcare.”

Separately, PM Shehbaz has constituted a committee to review climate change governance and mechanisms.

The purpose of forming this body is to access climate funds.

The premier has named Climate Change Minister Romina Khursheed Alam and Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Executive Director Dr Abid Suleri as its members along with other senior people.

The federal climate change minister has issued a detailed notification explaining the context, mandate, terms of reference (TORs) and list of the members of the committee.

According to the notification, the committee will be chaired by the Planning Commission deputy chairman. It comprises government officials, parliamentarians, representatives from civil society and environment NGOs, private sector, research institutes, and experts with knowledge on specific topics.

The committee will suggest an approach that involves mainstreaming climate considerations across all government organisations and operations, as well as integrating them into the development agenda as well as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It includes evaluating the effectiveness of existing and proposed institutional mechanisms including the National Climate Change Council, the proposed Climate Change Authority, Climate Change Fund, National Disaster Risk Management Fund, as well as coordination with key ministries.

Additionally, there is a need to review institutional mechanisms and policies to mobilise climate finance.

This includes climate funds and innovative financial instruments.

“The appraisal of institutional mechanisms and policies to mobilise carbon finance is also crucial,” the notification read.

“Furthermore, assessing institutional mechanisms and policies to attract private capital from various sources such as development finance institutions (DFIs), pension funds, insurance companies, commercial banks, venture capital, and private sector firms is essential. Examining institutional mechanisms and policies to enhance engagement with multilateral development banks (MDBs) to reduce the cost of finance and leverage private sector investment through grants, guarantees, and concessional climate funds will also be recommended by the committee,” it added.

(With input from APP)