PMA calls for overhaul of healthcare system on World Health Day

IV Report 

KARACHI: On World Health Day, April 7, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) emphasised the critical need for a strong foundation in early life to ensure a prosperous and healthy future for all Pakistani citizens. The PMA called for robust primary care investment, stressing that achieving "healthy beginnings" requires a significant overhaul and strengthening of the nation's primary healthcare infrastructure.

The association urged the government to prioritise substantial investments to ensure accessible and equitable healthcare services for every Pakistani, regardless of financial standing. Key measures advocated by PMA Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro include:

- Allocating a substantial portion of the national budget to bolster primary healthcare infrastructure, including clinics, rural health centers, and basic health units.

- Implementing universal health coverage, eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for essential healthcare services.

- Investing in healthcare professionals, particularly in underserved rural areas.

- Enhancing maternal and child health services, including prenatal care, safe childbirth, immunisation programmes, and nutritional support.

- Fostering community participation in healthcare planning and delivery.

- Removing financial barriers to healthcare access.

The PMA concluded that a collaborative effort between the federal and provincial

governments, healthcare providers, civil society organisations, and stakeholders is necessary to build a robust and equitable healthcare system prioritising primary care. 

File photos courtesy: government health units

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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