Health security basic right of every Pakistani, says minister

LAHORE:Caretaker Provincial Health Minister Prof Dr Javed Akram said that health security is the fundamental right of every Pakistani. Health security should be at the forefront of Pakistan's national policy.

He was addressing the National Action Plan for Health Security Provincial Operational Planning workshop at a local hotel here on Monday. Caretaker Federal Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan chaired the workshop. Provincial Health Minister Dr Jamal Nasir, DG Health Dr Ilyas Gondal, representatives of UK Health Security Agency, National Institute of Health, UK International Development and Department of Healthcare were also present on this occasion.

Addressing the workshop, Dr Javed Akram said that there is excellent coordination between the federal government and Punjab for providing better health facilities to the people. In 2019, coronavirus shook the economy of the whole world. ‘We have to fill the gap in the health sector and promote evidence-based studies to provide better health facilities to the people. The reporting system in the health sector should also be improved,’ he added.

He said that every second Pakistani over the age of 49 in Pakistan suffers from high blood pressure. According to the vision of Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the project of revamping in more than a hundred govt hospitals is going on successfully.

Provincial Health Minister Dr Jamal Nasir said that the entire Punjab Cabinet is working day and night to provide convenience to the people. Today, no one can lift a single finger on the honesty of the Punjab Cabinet. Caretaker Federal Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan said that he is happy to participate in the workshop.

Training workshop for health professionals

A three-day training workshop for lady health workers and lady health supervisors on community IMNCH and counselling cards was organised.

The workshop was supervised of Dr Rameeza Kaleem at the Department of Preventive Paediatrics, Fatima Jinnah Medical University/Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in collaboration with IRMNCH and UNICEF.

Fatima Jinnah Medical University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Masood Gondal graced the workshop as the guest of honour.

Principal Fatima Jinnah Medical College Prof Noreen Akmal, Medical Superintendent Dr Sohail Arshad, Health Officer UNICEF Dr Saira Khan, Prof Naveed Akbar Hotiana, and Prof Fauzia Hussain specially attended the event.

Dr Qazi Mumtaz and Dr Rehman Suleman, Ms Tahira Marium and Hanan served as facilitators/trainers on the occasion. The event was aimed at improving skills of LHW to pick the danger signs in newborn and young infants and their timely referral to health centres to save their lives. This will result in reducing the mortality rate of newborns.

A large number of Lady Health Workers and Lady Health Supervisors of Lahore participated in this training. In the workshop, special emphasis was given on improving their counselling skills through use of counselling cards related to mother and child health-Sehat Ki Dastkhat.

Highlighting the importance of the event, the VC said the role of lady health workers in our society is very crucial in terms of providing health services at doorsteps. He said if you save one child it is as you have saved the whole mankind. He said mother's prayers carry the will of Allah Almighty. The VC appreciated the services of UNICEF, IRMNCH, and the Department of Preventive Paediatrics for organising this important workshop and emphasised on organising such workshops in the future. At the end of the workshop, certificates were given to the participants and facilitators.