Healthcare on top

If the government wants to fix its dysfunctional public health services, it must first demonstrate political commitment – even if the national consensus on a health vision has come 15 years after a previously failed policy. That said, the new healthcare blueprint, the National Health Vision, is a move in the right direction. Overhauling the state-owned health sector not only requires that health be put at the top of the priority list, but increased funding, efficient cross-sector linkages and medical training are also imperative. However, with financial constraints, it is judicious to triage areas with the goal of maximising health access and ensuring quality and affordability. This approach, particularly in primary health, disease prevention, universal coverage and service monitoring could eliminate disparities in provision.It has been observed that when the wider world of public health and well-being is grim, education, gender equality and employment will be adversely impacted, putting the brakes on economic prosperity. Increasing spending to three percent by 2025 will benefit healthcare, which is currently allocated 0.6 percent of GDP – though more money is not the only solution. When strategising, the government must know that poverty results in health conditions controllable with low-cost medical interventions at the primary- and secondary-care levels. Also, government-funded medical facilities cover only part of the population's demands because few offer specialised care. This has led to the mushrooming of an unregulated private sector with disparate services and prices. If hardly 20 percent of the population uses primary healthcare systems, then coverage and functionality need improvement. When the government pays lip service to human development on international podiums while their citizens go to bed ill and hungry, it is reflective of a disinterested state without foresight. While implementing the NHV, it is critical that this government-led initiative pledging universal health access is independently monitored by either international donors or local advocacy/citizen groups ensuring those in need of healthcare are not deprived for yet another generation.Bilal ShabbirIslamabad

from The News International - Newspost https://ift.tt/34jgObb