Adequate numbers, quality and well-performing health workers are crucial for effective functioning of health systems. Through an effective and efficient health workforce, Pakistan aims to successfully implement the agenda of right to health wellbeing and to ensure economic and social development of its people. Human resources for health underpins the health goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as health systems can only function with a health workforce fully geared towards meeting the contemporary challenges. Human Resources for Health (HRH) is not only a specific SDG3 target (SDG3c) but is vital in achieving the universal health coverage (UHC). The contribution of health workers thus needs to be seen in a wider context of its role in the larger economy of the country than merely achieving SDG3. Pakistan has one of the lowest densities of health workers in the region and globally, with an essential /skilled health professional (physicians including specialists, nurses, lady health visitors and midwives) density of 1.4 per 1,000 population, which is much below the indicative minimum threshold of 4.45 physicians, nurses and midwives per 1,000 population necessary to achieve universal health coverage. Pakistan Vision 2025 reflects the government's commitment, of investment in the social sector including health as a top priority. The National Health Vision (NHV; 2016 – 2025) provides a unified common health vision for universal health care, especially for women and children of Pakistan. One of the major actions under NVH is formulation of Pakistan's Human Resources for Health (HRH) vision. In this regard the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, in consultation with the provincial departments of Health and other stakeholders have developed Human Resource for Health Vision 2018-30. This document provides guidance for deploying strategic measures and suggests linkages along with the scope of work for the national and provincial health systems, thus allowing all to plan their own agendas, albeit with some principles and strategic choices that are common and mutually agreed upon. The vision document will be formally launched by Federal and Provincial Ministries of Health in ceremony to be held on Wednesday in Islamabad. *-*-*-* ?
PREVIOUS NEXT
