Karachi: "There is no dearth of resources or funds in health sector, but irregularities, lack of government will and mismanagement in health system are main reasons for poor health structure of Sindh province."

Dr Tipu Sultan speaking at health conference organised by All Sindh Lady Health Workers and Employees Union (ASLHWEU) on 'Decent work and better health care services' in collaboration with Public Services International and Workers Education and Research Organistion (WERO) said most of budget is spent in urban areas, that too on purchasing expensive equipment at tertiary care hospitals, while rural areas where more than 60 percent population resides, don't even get proper primary health care facilities.  On issues faced by lady health workers, Dr Sultan said health sector is in grip of corrupt people. "Lady Health workers and other paramedical staff are backbone of our health system, but irony is that their service structure is not defined yet. That should be given to them."

He said successive governments failed to increase health budget, whether it was dictatorship or democratic set up. "Both have disappointed us," he said. "Pushed the health sector to brink of collapse." He advised LHWs to fight for their rights, as no one will give them their rights on platter.

Dr. Qaiser Sajjad said Pakistan is fifth largest country of world in terms of population, but health facilities here are extremely inadequate. Government spends less than one percent on health sector. Country has to bear huge burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

"If government provides only clean water to people, more than half of diseases will be eliminated. We can make atomic bombs but we cannot eliminate mosquitoes. Due to which we are now suffering from Dengue after malaria," he maintained.

Dr. Asim Bashir Khan Development Economist and Public Finance expert said, "Government should design health policy to meet growing needs and challenges of ever increasing population of country." He said health infrastructure of Sindh is inadequate for increasing population and its needs."

Senior journalist Sheher Bano said Pakistan ranks 154th among 195 countries in terms of quality and accessibility of healthcare. "Very few women are at position of power in health system and are not part of decision making bodies. Early marriages, lack of health facilities, proximity to healthcare facilities and other issues have aggravated health problems of women." Girl who has to play with doll is married early and then she loses her health with multiple pregnancies and related problems. "Gender disparity in terms of provision of health facilities is another issue." She demanded government to provide equal medical and health facilities to women working in various organisations and do gender budgeting so that allocation in health sector reached females who make half of country's population.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 29 2022

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