“There is no dearth of resources or funds in the health sector, but irregularities, lack of government will and mismanagement in the health system are the main reasons for a poor health structure of Sindh province.
This was stated by renowned Dr Tipu Sultan, while speaking at the health conference organized by All Sindh Lady Health Workers and Employees Union (ASLHWEU) on the topic of “Decent work and better health care services” in collaboration with Public Services International and Workers Education and Research Organization (WERO).
He said most of the budget is spent in the urban areas, that too on purchasing expensive equipment at the tertiary care hospitals, while rural areas where more than 60% population resides, don’t even get proper primary health care facilities.
ON the issues faced by lady health workers, Dr Sultan said the health sector is in the grip of corrupt people. “Lady Health workers and other paramedical staff are the backbone of our health system, but the irony is that their service structure is not defined yet. That should be given to them.”
He said successive governments failed to increase the health budget, whether it was dictatorship or a democratic set up. “Both have disappointed us,” he said while adding, and that they have “pushed the health sector to the brink of collapse.” He advised the LHWs to fight for their rights, as no one will give them their rights on a platter.
Addressing the conference, Dr. Qaiser Sajjad said Pakistan is the fifth largest country of the world in terms of population, but the health facilities here are extremely inadequate. The government spends less than one percent on the health sector. The country has to bear the huge burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
“If the government provides only clean water to people, more than half of the diseases will be eliminated. We can make atomic bombs but we cannot eliminate mosquitoes. Due to which we are now suffering from dengue after malaria,” he maintained.
Dr. Asim Bashir Khan, Development Economist and Public Finance expert, threw light on the effect of COVID-19 on the health sector of the country. “The government should design the health policy to meet the growing needs and challenges of the ever increasing population of the country.” He said the health infrastructure of Sindh is inadequate for the increasing population and its needs.
Senior journalist Sheher Bano said Pakistan ranks 154th among 195 countries in terms of quality and accessibility of healthcare. “Very few women are at the position of power in the health system and are not part of decision making bodies. Early marriages, lack of health facilities, proximity to the healthcare facilities and other issues have aggravated the health problems of women. The girl who has to play with a doll is married early and then she loses her health with multiple pregnancies and the related problems.
Gender disparity in terms of provision of health facilities is another issue.” She demanded the government to provide equal medical and health facilities to women working in various organizations and do gender budgeting so that allocation in the health sector reached females who make half of the country’s population.
Shama Gulani, General Secretary, ASLHWEU, criticized the current decision of Sindh government to stop Health Risk Allowance of all health workers and demanded to restore it as the lady workers are discharging their duties in extremely difficult conditions.
The President of ASLHWEU, Halima Zulqarnain Laghari, said thousands of Lady Health Workers (LHWs) have retired but didn’t get any pension yet. “Millions of workers continue to deliver health and social care services under increasingly challenging circumstances and the spiraling cost of living. We face long hours, poor working conditions, low wages and insecure contracts. Years into the pandemic and many still lack access to health and safety protections such as personal protective equipment. Care workers are physically and emotionally exhausted and as a result, are forced to miss work due to the stress and trauma. We are giving Pakistan a healthy nation, but face abuse, harassment, and injustice not only from health system but also from the government.”
Mir Zulfikar Ali from WERO emphasised on increasing the salaries and allowances of those working in the health sector, especially the lady health workers. “Decent work and better facilities should be ensured to them. There is an urgent need for adequate public investment to achieve universal quality public health and care, as well as, to rebuild the social organisation of care, integrating the recognition of the human right to care, and ensuring social care services are provided as a fundamental human right, and public good which is universally accessible,” he concluded.
