Islamabad, July 02, 2019 (PPI-OT): Dr Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to PM On Health addressing the introductory session of a two-day national workshop on Universal Health Coverage, Benefit Package (UHC-BP) and Costing Model for Pakistan held in Islamabad. The workshop was organized to take stock of the progress in development of UHC-BP activities in Pakistan, capacity development on costing model for UHC-BP and finalize future actions for UHC-BP-DCP 3 activities. The workshop was attended by representatives of federal line Ministries, Provincial Departments of Health, WHO, Health Development Partners, academicians, researchers and other stakeholders.
Addressing the workshop, Dr. Zafar Mirza, said “Universal Health Coverage is based on the principle that all individuals and communities have equitable access to their needed healthcare, in good quality, without suffering financial hardship. The three dimensions of UHC are services needed, population coverage and financial protection. Dr Zafar Mirza further added, that a comprehensive package of health services will be designed considering burden of disease, cost effectiveness of interventions and feasibility of delivery. It is critical to define the services which are needed to be covered through different levels of health care.
DCP 3 defines a model concept of essential universal health coverage (EUHC) package. It provides a starting point for country specific analysis of priorities considering country specific cost structures, epidemiological needs and national priorities. DCP 3 is a valuable resource that provides a global synthesis of evidence on a range of health interventions. He continued that efforts are being made to cover the poor and vulnerable families through Sehat Sahulat Program to begin with.
Pakistan has been selected as first pilot country in the world to develop UHC-BP based on DCP 3 interventions. Soon, the UHC-BP will be pilot tested in Islamabad Capital Territory. On the occasion, Professor Dr. Anna Vassall, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK said, “Pakistan is one of the fore-runners involved in defining the benefit package. DCP3 is a global evidence base that reviews which health services bring the greatest health benefits to populations.
DCP3 evidence can inform the definition of the package but needs to consider local needs and circumstances. She welcomed the progress made so far and explained the costing steps involved in UHC-BP. The expected outcomes of the workshop are to sensitize and enhance the capacity building of stakeholders for building UHC-BP and finalize the future course of action for UHC-BP/DCP3 in the country.
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