Pakistan’s Situation Stated As Critical; Human Resources For Health Lags Behind

LAHORE : The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the critical benchmark for minimum levels of Human Resources for Health (HRH) as 4.45 per 1,000 population. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s situation comes across as uncertain due to its HRH figure, that stands at 1.45 per 1,000 population.

There are about 94,179 doctors and dentists registered with Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) in Punjab, 64,846 nurses, 44,452 lady health workers (LHWs) and 1,799 lady health supervisors in the province of Punjab, with a population of 110 million, that ultimately results in an apparent shortage of HRH.

These statistics were discussed during a dialogue on “Human Resources for Health – Policy Implications” arranged by Punjab Public Health Agency, under its Policy Roundtable Series.

 Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir, Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Secretary Najam Shah, Planning and Development Member Health Dr. Shabana Haider and various other eminent public health professionals attended the discussion. The challenges and required policy interventions to improve the Human Resources for Health were discussed.

Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Secretary Najam Shah stressed upon the need to modify and upgrade the existing infrastructure and resources, across the institutions for community’s betterment.

 Khawaja Imran further informed that, the average number of patients visiting the OPDs of District and Tehsil Headquarters Hospitals daily have exceeded to 4,000 due to the provision of free health facilities.