Rs. 9 billion annually recommended for health research in Pakistan

 

Rs. 9 billion annually recommended for health research in Pakistan

The joint declaration issued by prominent health and educational organizations in Pakistan, known as the 'Islamabad Declaration for Health Research in Pakistan,' has recommended the annual allocation of a minimum of $30 million (equivalent to Rs9 billion) for health research efforts throughout the country. This funding should be centrally administered, involving various sponsoring and oversight bodies to support the research agenda. The proposed National Health Research Council (NHRC) would be responsible for overseeing these research endeavors.

The key endorsers of this declaration include the National Institute of Health (NIH), Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan Science Foundation, and Pakistan Academy of Sciences. Additionally, it received support from officials and researchers representing leading public and private medical and general universities in Pakistan.

Chaired by the interim Federal Health Minister, Dr. Nadeem Jan, the Islamabad Declaration was presented during the concluding session of the 'National Health Research Conference.' This conference was organized by NIH Islamabad in collaboration with HEC, PAS, and PSF and brought together researchers, vice-chancellors of universities, academics, scientists, and experts from various regions of Pakistan and abroad.

The declaration, presented by renowned health scientist and researcher Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, outlined several key recommendations:

Equitable and competitive allocation of research funds, with annual accountability through the NHRC.

Development of health research capacity in provinces through public-private partnerships and networks of excellence in research, encompassing medical, nursing, related institutions, and the pharmaceutical sector.

Inclusion of mandatory research methodology and ethics courses in the medical undergraduate and postgraduate training curricula. 

Recognition of the crucial role of health research in sustainable national public health, well-being, economic growth, and development.

Alignment of National Health Research priorities with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Health and Nutrition, while addressing systemic inequities and emerging challenges such as climate change and global health security.

Reduction of inequities in health research capacities between provinces and genders, along with strategic regional and global collaborations.

Annual monitoring and evaluation of research capacity, workforce, and productivity through internationally recognized metrics, overseen jointly by the NHRC and Pakistan Council for Science and Technology.

Dr. Nadeem Jan, the caretaker Health Minister, expressed his commitment to raising the matter of allocating Rs9 billion annually for research with the cabinet, emphasizing the need for proper utilization and accountability of these funds. He highlighted the evolving disease patterns in Pakistan and the importance of redefining national health priorities. Furthermore, he stressed the country's dedication to global health security, especially in efforts to eradicate polio.

Source: The News