ANNUAL PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE BRIEF
Health Services Academy (HSA) organized 2nd “Annual Public Health Conference” on 1st and 2nd December, 2011 focusing on a single theme i.e. “Promoting public health in the wake of recent reforms”. The conference envisaged to increase the global and multi-sectoral partnerships and networks (governmental bodies, civil society organizations, academia and private sector) deliberating on approaches to foster robust health systems research in Pakistan.
CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES
The specific objectives of the conference were:
-
To synthesize and disseminate evidence based research in health systems paradigm considering process of devolution
-
To identify mechanisms for strengthening capacities – individual and institutional, in health systems in Pakistan
-
To facilitate collaboration, communication and learning across disciplines, sectors, and initiatives after devolution
-
To share state-of-the art research in Human Resource for Health
CONFERENCE SUBTHEMES
All building blocks of Health Systems were focused and discussed in the context of recent reforms in Pakistan; however, specific emphasis was on the following three cross-cutting issues:
- Leadership/Governance and Devolution
- Health Care Financing and Social Protection
- Human Resource for Health
PARTICIPATION
The conference had an overwhelming response and over 500 delegates attended the 2 days event. Delegates from all across the sectors attended the two days conference proceedings. There were guests from all the 4 provinces and federally administered areas of Pakistan representing health, population, planning, finance, establishment, social welfare, and many other government departments. Local NGOs, research organizations and academia was represented in all the technical and plenary session of the conference. Young researchers also shared their research work in the technical sessions and through posters.
Foreign delegates represented Alliance for Health Systems & Policy Research, Geneva; Dar-ul-Ihsan University Dhaka, Bangladesh; Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
PROCEEDINGS
There were 2 plenaries, 6 scientific sessions and 6 panel discussions organized over the span of two days. Moreover, there was a poster gallery presenting coverage of research and projects by various public health organizations. Numbers of stalls were arranged by different NGOs and departments to show case their work.
PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Over the years, it has been felt that worthwhile public health research could not find its way into legitimate print in Pakistan. The first exclusive journal of public was launched at the event by the Honorable Cabinet Secretary Mrs Nargis Sethy. This journal is first of its kind in the country and region and is therefore committed to promote high quality research in the field of Public Health. The launch of this journal is an attempt to address such constraints through providing a platform for public health researchers and academicians
AWARDS
Awards of recognition of services to HSA were given to
-
Dr Babar Tasneem Shaikh, for initiating the first PhD program in Public health in the country and for launching the first exclusive Journal of Public Health in Pakistan.
-
Dr Saima Hamid, for initiating the establishment of Centre of Excellence of MNCH.
-
Dr Samina Naeem, for successfully coordinating the 2nd Annual Public health conference.
-
Dr Assad Hafeez, for a dynamic leadership provided to the institution during the last 3 years.
SPONSORSHIP
The conference was sponsored by the USAID, WHO, UNICEF, Save the Children, World Vision, Marie Stopes Society and Youth Action International.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Health Services Academy envisions the following outcomes by holding such events on annual basis in the future.
- Policy briefs for provincial governments and policy makers.
- Provision of a forum for deliberation and discussion on health sector reforms.
- New collaborations and networking for promotion of public health and health systems research.
- Innovative strategies on health systems strengthening.
