ISLAMABAD: A delegation from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), led by its Chief Executive Officer, Professor Dame Jenny Harries, called on Pakistan Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan and discussed means of enhancing collaboration between the two countries.
The deliberations aimed to fortify healthcare initiatives, especially in the wake of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The partnership between the Ministry and UKHSA was poised to facilitate informed decisions and to foster mutual learning.
Additionally, the focus extended to capacity-building within Pakistan’s healthcare workforce through the implementation of shared systems supported by UKHSA.
Underlining the Government of Pakistan’s firm commitment, the Global Health Security Agenda assumed paramount importance. As part of this commitment, Pakistan is gearing up to host a Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Summit, inviting prominent leaders and stakeholders from around the world.
The integration of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) has been a collaborative triumph between Pakistan and UKHSA, reaching 134 districts in the country. With a projection to encompass all districts within the next few months, this initiative promises to bolster health surveillance nationwide.
In a bid to amplify surveillance capabilities, UKHSA is aiding the establishment of electronic laboratory systems. This endeavor is set to enhance comprehensive surveillance, contributing to robust healthcare management in Pakistan.
Drawing attention to the past, UKHSA has played a pivotal role in elevating technical proficiency within the provinces, aligning with the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) recommendations spanning 2016 to 2023. The forthcoming JEE Country Report for 2023, which is currently in its finalization stages, owes its development to UKHSA’s active engagement in facilitating the evaluation process. The resultant recommendations are anticipated to foster cohesion between health and non-health sectors under the umbrella of One Health.
As part of the strategic blueprint, an Emergency Operations Center – Center of Excellence is being established at the National Institute of Health (NIH). This initiative aims to streamline and unify the country’s emergency response mechanisms, ensuring a unified approach to health crises.
On a forward-looking note, UKHSA’s commitment to Pakistan’s health landscape remains unwavering. Acknowledging the success of ongoing projects, such as IDSR, the UK Government’s funding is secured until 2024. This performance paves the way for potential UK support in other technical domains.
