Advocacy and Innovation in Public Health

Public health in Pakistan often gets overlooked or receives less attention, even in the latest budget for 2024-25. However, it's a cornerstone of societal well-being, especially where the need for effective advocacy and innovative solutions is critical.

In this special tenth edition of #EverydayCommunications, our focus is to share a spotlight on public health advocacy and innovation in Pakistan.

So what goes around in public health?

Let's look into the strategies, initiatives, and collaborations that drive positive change and make a lasting impact on public health across the nation.

Public Health Advocacy and Innovation in Pakistan

Public health advocacy in Pakistan is gaining momentum as stakeholders from various sectors recognize the need to address systemic health issues. Advocacy efforts are focused on improving access to healthcare, promoting health equity, and influencing public health policies.

Initiatives such as the Sehat Sahulat Program aim to provide health insurance to underprivileged populations, demonstrating a commitment to expanding healthcare access.

Innovative Approaches

Innovation is driving transformative changes in the public health sector in Pakistan. Telemedicine platforms like Sehat Kahani , a start-up venture of Dr.Sara Saeed Khurram and Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga are breaking down barriers to healthcare by connecting patients in remote areas with qualified doctors through digital means. Mobile health units and community health workers are also playing crucial roles in delivering essential health services to underserved communities.

Challenges in Public Health Advocacy

Funding and Resources

One of the major challenges in public health advocacy in Pakistan is the limited availability of funding and resources. Many public health initiatives rely heavily on donor funding, which can be unpredictable and insufficient to meet the growing needs.

Policy and Implementation

Policy implementation remains a significant hurdle. While there are policies in place aimed at improving public health, and suggestions from experts to ensure healthcare policies are in place, however, the execution of these policies is often hindered by bureaucratic red tape, lack of coordination among agencies, and insufficient infrastructure.

Public Awareness and Engagement:

Raising public awareness and engagement is critical for the success of public health advocacy. However, misinformation, cultural barriers, and a lack of health education contribute to low engagement levels. Efforts to educate and mobilize communities are essential but challenging.

Here's a table looking into the possible adverse impacts on Pakistan's healthcare sector as governments tend to deprioritize it.

Recommendations for the Future

Collaboration

A collaboration between stakeholders including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private sectors, and international partners is crucial at this stage. Joint efforts by relevant people will pool resources, expertise, and influence to drive more substantial changes in public health.

Investing in Technology

Investing in digital health technologies can greatly enhance the reach and efficiency of healthcare services. Expanding telemedicine, electronic health records, and mobile health applications can bridge the gap between healthcare providers and remote populations.

Capacity Building

Developing the capacity of healthcare workers through training and professional development is crucial. Investing in the education and skills of health workers can improve service delivery and patient outcomes.

Policy Advocacy

Continued advocacy for robust health policies and effective implementation is necessary. Engaging policymakers, leveraging data to inform decisions, and ensuring accountability are key steps toward sustainable health improvements.

Public Health Advocacy: Tackling Tobacco Control in Pakistan

In advocating for public health, particularly tobacco control, Pakistan prioritizes multi-faceted strategies, including public awareness campaigns, policy advocacy, and international collaborations. Effective strategies involve gaining political commitment, targeting decision-makers, and translating scientific research into actionable policies. Building coalitions and engaging in strategic framing amplify the message, creating a unified front. Successful initiatives include addressing the latest tobacco and nicotine electronic devices targeting youth, enforcing smoking bans in public spaces, and promoting cessation programs. Despite challenges from the tobacco industry and limited resources, there are opportunities to strengthen partnerships and leverage technology for better outcomes. Syed Ali Wasif Naqvi 's work at Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) involves leading these innovative public health advocacy initiatives in Pakistan.

3 People to Follow for Expert Insights

In this edition, we feature insights from three experts in Public Health, who shares their experiences and achievements in the public health sector.

Syed Ali Wasif Naqvi is a dedicated professional with an M.Phil. in Peace and Conflict Studies from the National Defense University, Islamabad. Wasif's career is marked by his ability to confront and solve new challenges, showcasing his logical and team-oriented approach. His experience includes significant contributions in the development sector mainly in Policy frameworks on tobacco control, export promotion, and religious freedom, in partnership with global organizations like Vital Strategies , Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom , ODI Global , FCDO Services , NYU, and USAID . He has participated in seminars at the International Academy for Leadership in Germany and the Academy for International Business Officials in China, focusing on topics like defending open societies and poverty alleviation. These experiences have equipped him with a diverse skill set and a deep understanding of media, policy development, and international cooperation, making him a versatile and influential figure in his field.

Wasif discusses key projects such as the deployment of mobile health clinics and digital platforms that provide real-time health information and services.

Rozam Furqan demonstrates a strong commitment to innovation in Pakistan's development sector, particularly through effective communication and advocacy. At the Institute of Rural Management , he digitized communication materials to enhance outreach. His role in the USAID -funded Pakistan Reading Project involved coordinating with government departments to endorse educational materials. At Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) , he currently contributes to and supports initiatives like the Pakistan Food Systems Dashboard and the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network. He has also worked on the commercialization of biofortified crops and projects like "Whey to Value" and Fruit Bars. His expertise in policy advocacy and youth engagement has further amplified GAIN's impact and fostered relationships with academia and journalists to drive improved nutrition outcomes in Pakistan.

Dr. Ahsanullah Khan W. has over 20 years of experience in healthcare insurance, policy development, and strategic health system reforms. He holds a PhD in Health Policy, an MBA in Health Services and Hospital Management, and an MBBS in Medicine and Surgery. His expertise spans health policy, system reforms, insurance programs, hospital management, and public-private partnerships.

Internationally, he has advised the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar and led health research in Iran, Morocco, and Jordan. In Pakistan, he contributed to national health policies and reforms. Dr. Khan has worked with World Health Organization , UNICEF , USAID , DFID, European Union , and The World Bank . He has significantly contributed to Pakistan's healthcare policies, serving as a key member of health policy think tanks and advising the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination . He led health sector reforms and public-private partnerships in Sindh, improving healthcare services and infrastructure.

Until next time, with a new edition, and a new message. Till then keep innovating. See you in the next one.

Mariam

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