Federal Minister National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar said that we have overcome some of the most pressing challenges of our times such as security, a rocky economy and unstable markets and now we as a country have much to look forward to for the future. What essentially is the future and what kind of future do we look forward to? While she was addressing in the Launching Ceremony Pakistan: Human Resources for Health Vision (2018-30) Today in Islamabad. Minister said that the future of Pakistan lies in the future of its people. For a bright future, the people need to be able to perform at their best which can only be possible if they are living healthy and productive lives. Over the course of the last five years the Government of Pakistan has made considerable efforts towards enhancing the health services being made available to the people. The implementation of the Prime Minister’s National Health Programme is one such example. The efforts at the federal level have been followed by Provincial governments with historical increases in heath expenditure during the last five years. The current government coordinated a consensus National Health Vision 2025, based on principle of taking everyone along, with eight thematic pillars. The NHV resolves the aspirations of all provincial and area governments and reflects targets of Pakistan Vision 2025 and SGDs agenda. Improving the availability of skilled health workforce within the country is one such target of NHV and SDG3. Minister said it is clear from the HRH Vision that an increase in health workforce, if planned well, will provide an unprecedented decent employment opportunity for the people of the country. This is also intrinsically linked with broader economic development and enhancing opportunities for gender equality. In order to meet the need of greater numbers of health workforce within the country, there is a need to pay due attention for enhancement of the production capacity. A well-equipped health workforce is instrumental for strengthening our primary, preventive and promotive health care system. The HRH Vision provides the necessary guidelines for ensuring the provision of essential health services at the door step of communities. Evidence base projections for human resource for health for f next 15 years unveiled by the ministry health. Saira Afzal Tarar Renewed focus on production of nurses/ mid wife emphasized in order to achieve national health targets. Quality control in health professionals training is key factor for better health care services. No of lady health workers is required to be doubled in years to come. Some key points of the vision include: Provincial Strategies in line with provincial priorities and national HRH vision should complete in 2018 More than one million new jobs opportunities needs to be created by 2030 along with decent working environment for health workforce both in public and private sector The current production capacity of nurses and midwives is around 9,000 which needs to be doubled over the next five years for which new nursing schools and colleges needs to be put in place LHWs numbers should also be doubled from the current less than 93,000 to more than 180,000 within next five years to ensure provision of essential primary health care services at the doorstep of community Quality of medical and nursing education should be modernized, ensuring a system approach in the governance of these institutions Research and reliable data on HRH is critical need of the country Task shifting is a promising strategy considering financial constraint environment It is incumbent on the political health leadership of the country has to ensure that the HRH Vision progresses from a well thought out plan to actual implementation resulting in the envisioned benefits for the health of the people of Pakistan. Here, I would like to state that we recognize the supreme sacrifice rendered by health workers who have laid down their lives, in the line of duty, securing the future generations of the country. Minister further added that term of national assembly and current government will soon complete its five year and the country will go to select their representatives for the national assembly. However, before leaving the portfolio of the Federal Minister, I will properly share my handover notes to the cabinet to ensure that the successor Federal Minister can further take forward the current achievements. HRH would be one of such handing over portfolio. *-*-*-*-*-*
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