Health experts, government officials, and key stakeholders convened for the inaugural session of a three-day workshop aimed at developing the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) in Punjab. The workshop, held in collaboration with health security partners and international organizations, featured addresses from esteemed figures in the healthcare sector. Dr. Muhammad Ilyas, Director General Health Services Punjab, Professor Javaid Akram, Minister for Specialized Health and Medical Education Department, Punjab, Dr. Jamal Nasir, Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Care Punjab, and Federal Minister for Health Dr. Nadeem Jan addressed the audience. The forum was moderated by Dr. Yadullah, Director CD&EPC/Provincial IHR focal person. During the session, it was highlighted that Pakistan, as a signatory to International Health Regulations, is committed to strengthen core capacities to effectively prepare for and respond to disease outbreaks and health threats. The country is actively developing the NAPHS for the next five years, following Joint External Evaluation, with ongoing provincial consultations to strengthen core capacities in line with global health security priorities. Dr. Muhammad Ilyas expressed gratitude to health security partners, FCDO & UKHSA, for technical support and organizing the workshop. Acknowledgment was given to partners, including USAID, FCDO, UKHSA, CDC, JSI, Fleming Fund, EU, and financial institutions (WB, IDB & ADB), for supporting Pakistan's health security capabilities. The country aims to submit its second call of pandemic preparedness proposal to the World Bank based on the JEE self-evaluation report 2023 by March 17, 2024, to secure grant funding for priority areas identified in the NAPHS. Professor Javaid Akram assured full government support in seeking domestic resources for the national security plan, emphasizing the need to strengthen core capacities for a coordinated response to disease outbreaks. The importance of a whole-of-government approach for managing pandemics and public health emergencies of international concern, as emphasized by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, was underscored. Dr. Jamal Nair reflected on the importance of the Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response and the Health security. Dr. Nasir further suggested that the development partners should provide support which is aligned to the needs of the province. In this regard, he raised concerns about the Global Fund grant support. Federal Minister for Health, Dr. Nadeem Jan addressed the audience and thanked all the partners including government of Punjab and development partners for contributing to the important endeavor. The Minister informed that Pakistan recently hosted the Global Health Security Summit under the theme "Together for a Healthy Planet." The summit aimed to secure equity-based pandemic preparedness financing, exchange knowledge on vaccine equity, patent deregulation, and technology transfer, and form partnerships with international organizations to align health security priorities. Dr. Nadeem Jan stressed that health security is the lynchpin of all securities. Dr. Nadeem Jan reflected that the Action Plan developed by provinces for Health Security is a critical step towards implementation of Global Health Security agenda. Dr. Nadeem Jan emphasized the importance of advocating for implementation of action plan and ensuring that a robust monitoring and evaluation framework is in place for an effective and efficient implementation. The workshop participants engaged in technical deliberations with the expectation of finalizing recommendations for the JEE report 2023, further contributing to Pakistan's health security efforts.
PREVIOUS NEXT
