The World Health Organization launched the “World Health Report 2013: Research for Universal Health Coverage” in Beijing on August 14th, 2013. This report resonates the 2010, World Health Report on “Health Systems Financing: The path to universal coverage”. The interest in universal health coverage has only grown since then as Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director […]
Building the proper layers of care with Rehabilitation Sciences
It is indeed sad that the currently estimated 10% of our population which is disabled, faces increasing challenges on a daily basis. They not only lack effective support on the medical front, but they also face numerous barriers to integration as fully functioning members of society. A tragic day in this regard was October 8, […]
Public Health: A Hidden Benefit of Pakistan-India Trade Normalization
One of the early top priorities of newly elected Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is improving relations with India. Sharif, who has long advocated for a closer relationship, is particularly keen to normalize commercial ties with New Delhi. The prospects for Pakistan-India trade normalization have been greatly enhanced ever since Islamabad announced, in late 2011, […]
HMIS/ICT in Support of MCH-Care
As pointed out earlier in my blog on a new strategy for immunization incl. the polio campaign, the use of linking District and Provincial healthcare management with local healthcare providers via Information & Communication Technology (ICT), keeping them informed for and about disease prevention, as well as prevalence, can be effectively used in Mother-& Child-Healthcare […]
Measles Outbreak: a need for action
After water and sanitation, childhood immunization is considered to be the greatest public health intervention, saving millions of lives each year. Childhood vaccination is one of the simplest and the most cost-effective objective of an efficient health system. Yet the recent havoc that Measles has played in Pakistan tells a different story. It undermines the […]
Hypertension in South Asian Countries – A growing monster
Asia is a large continent that has undergone pronounced demographic, epidemiologic, and socioeconomic changes in the recent decades. The South Asian countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) form a large subcontinent within Asia and share geographic boundaries, economic and cultural similarities. It is also home to some of the world’s most populous countries. […]
The boy with the bruised lip
Ali seemed very shy. He didn’t make eye contact with the Heartfile verifier—or perhaps it was his swollen and badly bruised lip, which made him conscious. Throughout the conversation between our verifier and his mother, his gaze remained lowered, as if knowing that something is terribly wrong, and that he is responsible for it. Perhaps […]
World Tuberculosis Day: Insights on Fight Against TB in Pakistan
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is the major strategic partner in Tuberculosis control in Pakistan . Roughly 90% of Anti-TB drugs, equipment and specialized infrastructure are funded through Global Fund grants which are managed by the National Tuberculosis Program, Greenstar Social Marketing and Mercy Corps. Over the past 10 years we […]
Devolution and Health
The devolution of Health and all other social sectors from the federal to provincial tiers materialized on the 1st July 2011. It is common knowledge that the move was undertaken without the adequate necessary groundwork or preparation at either level. The former Ministry of Health was itself in a complete state of denial even shortly […]
WEF 2013 aims for sustainable action on global health issues
Health was the cornerstone of the 43rd World Economic Forum Annual Meeting– which concluded yesterday. Global health and health systems featured prominently with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, key health ministers, and over 25 leaders from the healthcare industry in attendance, including our Founder and President, Dr Sania Nishtar. Founded in 1971, The World […]