Pakistan prepares to abolish Ministry of Health!
A community health worker in Grax, a village on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan
By June this year, Pakistan could be the first country without a health ministry. Pakistani Parliament has signed off on a constitutional amendment that paves the way for the abolition the institutional structure for healthcare — Ministry of Health, state department, directorate, or equivalent structure — at the federal level in charge of national responsibilities for health. This amendment comes at a time when there is a dire need to increase the capacity of the health system in view of many serious challenges. For example, the failure to eradicate Poliomyelitis means that Pakistan might be the last remaining reservoir of endemic Polio virus transmission in the world. The 18th constitutional amendment has granted provinces greater autonomy, and has devolved decision making in many sectors including health. In principle, devolution of powers can improve governance and has the potential to improve health equity. However, it is vital that national health matters are identified, and related responsibilities are entrusted to a federal institution.
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