To carry out policy-oriented research in the field of health and population, the Centre for Population, Health and Social Policy (CPHSP) was launched at a local hotel on Friday.
The centre has been established by Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, PIDE Vice Chancellor Dr Rashid Amjad said only 0.7 per cent of Pakistan’s gross domestic product is given to the health sector, while the Planning Commission’s New Growth Framework suggests that the figure may have gone down to 0.5 per cent.
“Private expenditure constitutes two-third of the total health expenditures and 99.6 per cent of this expenditure is out-of-pocket,” he said.
“Sadly, the needed interest and commitment to population and demographic issues is lacking as few students want to study in this field. The country stands on the verge of a demographic disaster if serious attempt is not made to bring down the population growth rate of Pakistan, he added.
CPHSP Director Dr Durr-e-Nayab said the centre would study the supply and demand, production and cost of healthcare after devolution of the health ministry.
Shahnaz Wazir Ali, who is heading the Special Committee on Millennium Development Goals, said the health sector in Pakistan remains neglected, with a scant amount of resources allocated for the cause.
She said that the transfer of resources to provinces is not conditional to investment in health and education, adding that the NFC awards have not prioritised investment in social sector.
“There is a need to conduct research on health and education for policy-making purposes,” she added.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2012.
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Well! Rightly said Mr.Anees! In Pakistan, social policy has so far not properly targeted the issues of poulaion and health as it should have.There is a dire need to give top priority to these issues.This centre is a welcome addition and Inshallah would provide robust and authentic research and findings on the vital issues of poulation, health and solicy policy.
It is indeed a great step towards population, health and social policy inclusion in term of research and development. while it is also a set draw back by Govt to allocate a minimal resource on health and population related issues. PIDE set again another milestone after Development Studies program, and it seem very relevant at present time to incorporate population and health research to counter current and misleading facts and figures.