The Health Services Academy (HSA) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan since July 2003. It was established as an in-service training centre in 1988 and developed into an institute of training and research in public health. Since its inception, the Academy has been striving to fulfil the health needs and new emerging paradigms under Public Health Sciences. HSA launched its Master’s in Public Health (MPH) programme in 1996 with a view to utilize and develop local expertise to train the future health managers of Pakistan. Up until now, 188 Students have completed their MPH degree. The Academy has been successful in achieving many of the institutional objectives as planned. This report briefly summarises the main activities and achievements realised by HSA from July 2005 to June 2006.

The modification of the existing Master’s in Public Health (MPH) degree into a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) programme was a major step that HSA took to bring the programme in line with the national and international standards. The formulation of the Financial, Academic and Service Rules and Regulations was another area of accomplishments. Research has been given a high priority in HSA and faculty/students have conducted Ongoing Research in different areas of Public Health and will continue to do so at a greater length in future.

The Academy’s need for a permanent campus of its own is finally realised. In April 2006, the Academy moved to the new campus near the National Institute of Health (NIH), Chak Shahzad, Islamabad. The construction of the teaching block, as well as accommodation facilities for students, is still going on.

The Academy’s special thanks goes to the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for its continued support through its implementing agency, the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), which has played a vital role in the development of the Academy. With their continuous support and technical assistance HSA aspires to become a regional centre of excellence in public health sciences.

In addition to GTZ, the Academy would also like to thank the other contributors for their assistance like WHO, the Gates Institute, DFID, UNFPA, Population Council and Save the Children Fund (SCF), USA, in many forms ranging from technical inputs, student stipends, research funds, and workshops to equipment and library books.

Engaging permanent faculty and administrative staff on all positions and starting the MSPH programme and working on research projects are the next challenges for HSA. Keeping in view the emerging demands, the Health Services Academy has got to go a long way to make an impact on some of the major public health problems faced by the communities and the health management issues faced by the country.

I am sure that with the dedication, commitment and hard work of all the officers and staff of the Academy combined with continued encouragement and support of the crucial partners, HSA would rapidly progress towards becoming a Regional Centre of Excellence for training in the field of Public Health.

Dr. Shakila Zaman, MD, PhD
Professor and Director
Health Services Academy