Launch National Diabetes, Hepatitis and National Health Support Programs costing Rs. 6.8 billion

Islamabad . The Federal Minister for Health Dr. Nadeem jan chaired an Inter Ministerial meeting on health and population participated by all provinces Ministers and their representatives. The meeting took major decisions with consequence taking up ten point major reform agenda for transformation of the health sector in Pakistan. It was numinously decide to launch National Diabetes Program costing Rs. 6.8 billion in view of high prevalence of this non communicable diseases in the country. The program will have the major impact arresting the high incident of the disease in Pakistan. Free screening, diagnosis facilities will be provided to the patients under this landmark initiative. It was also agreed to launch National Hepatitis Program to the cost of Rs. 34.5 billion under which free screening, diagnoses is and treatment facilities will provide across the country. Prime Minister of Pakistan will be chair of task force established in this connection. To strengthen primary health care it was decided to launch National Health Support Program at the cost of Rs. 430 million US dollars. Around 500 BHU across the country will be refurbished and will be made functional. Provincial government will bear the recurrent cost including appointment of human resource. To decrease the neonatal morbidity and mortality newborn strategy is endorsed and will be implemented through the country. It will ensure the supplies and medicine are available at the primary health care level. National Behaviour Change Strategy will introduced for equipping population with necessary knowledge to practice health behaviours. Consonant with this responsibility Federal Ministry of Health has been striving to provide suitable platforms to ensure harmonization of various areas in health & population, particularly those which require a coordinated national approach and face common critical challenges. The role of this forum is to provide national leadership, coordination and align roles & responsibilities of all stakeholders on national priorities and international commitments and also generate consensus on actions to address bottlenecks in implementation related to policy and strategic issues. This forum also provides an excellent opportunity to undertake joint performance reviews and enhance mutual accountability Following important areas were discussed in the meeting namely Co –financing hepatitis and diabetes project; Updated on NHSP; CMU for GF ATM at provincial level; Refurbishment of BHUs across the country; National New-born survival strategy and National Behaviour Change Strategy etc. All the provincial Ministers welcomed the initiatives and appreciated Ministry‘s effort of coordination in health and population sector. They said that there is no difference of opinion on any of the area. We need to work together for the people of Pakistan for better health outcomes. We look up to Federal Government for stewardship and technical support and better donor coordination.

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