Eight vertical health programmes integrated.

Byline: Faiza Ilyas

KARACHI -- Eight vertical health programmes, including the maternal, neonatal and child health and lady health workers programmes, have been integrated and transferred from the development side to the non-development side, a government notification issued here on Thursday stated.

The other programmes, which have been integrated into the Healthcare Delivery Model at primary, secondary and tertiary care levels, are TB Control Programme, HIV/AIDS Control Programme, Malaria Control Programme, Prevention and Control of Hepatitis in Sindh, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Programme, Prevention and Control Programme for Dengue and Prevention and Control of Blindness.

'It's a good step as it would strengthen the primary healthcare system. But, the problem lies with its implementation,' said Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, general secretary of the Pakistan Medical Association-Karachi, adding that other provinces had also taken similar steps but failed to bring about a significant change in the health system.

He was also of the opinion that the provincial health system would not improve unless the government eradicated corruption, started making appointments on merit and ensured proper utilisation of funds.

Seconding his opinion, Dr Mirza Ali Azhar, president of the PMA-Sindh, also described the notification as a positive development and said now these programmes, earlier getting significant funding from foreign donors, would become the Sindh government's responsibility.

'It's a good step as it would strengthen the primary healthcare system'

'Now, these programmes have become part of the budget and the primary healthcare system, which is a positive sign. Concerns of health professionals...

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