Health ministry signs MoU with UN agencies

Ministry of Health has signed agreement with United Nations agencies to address the health issues with focus on five well-targeted components which will be treated in a holistic manner. The six components included mother neonatal, child health, family planning and reproductive health, communicable diseases control, health promotion and nutrition, health system development, HIV/AIDs, and population census are planned for a period of two years with an overall estimated budget of US$ 384.7 million.

There are 14 UN agencies that are combining their strengths to address the health issues facing the country and the people of Pakistan. The overall vision of the health and population joint program is based on the `Health for All' approach. The participating UN agencies for this joint programme included FAO, ILO, IOM, World Bank, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNODC, WFP and WHO. Speaking on the occasion, Federal Secretary Health, Khushnood Akhtar Lashari said United Nations agencies are providing significant support to different sectors in the country enabling them to progress towards realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). "By working together we will achieve the objectives set out in the MDGs with a view to reducing morbidity and mortality among women and children and ensuring provision of better health-care," the secretary said addressing the country heads and representatives of 14 UN agencies who were present on the occasion.

He said UN assisted programmes are assisting in achieving targets in different areas of public health especially in a period when we are facing financial constraints. Prof. Dr Rasheed Jooma, Director General Health said "Through these interventions we will be able to improve the health system in Pakistan in a holistic manner." The DG Population, Dr Mumtaz Esker said that through this joint programme, the Ministry of Population and Ministry of Health have also joined hands to ensure a greater impact for the development of the country. Representative of the Ministry of Education speaking on the occasion pledged all out support and reiterated commitment to making the joint programme a success.

World Health Organization Representative to Pakistan, Dr. Khalif Bile said health was developmental issue and there are areas beyond the scope of the health sector alone that affect health and well being including sanitation, population, rights and gender issues etc. He welcomed the joint programmes and said it was a major step forward that the line Ministries and departments were collaborating towards achievement of a common objective. Director General, Ministry of Health, Prof. Dr. Rashid Jooma, Director General, Ministry of Population Welfare, Dr. Mrs. Mumtaz Esker and the Head of agencies of the fourteen UN agencies participating in the UN Joint Programme on Health signed the six Joint Programme Components for Health.