The whole human existence hinges upon the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, that reproductive health. A whole range of aims to sensitize a cross-sectoral network of interrelated and cross-linked socio-cultural, leaders and motivate them to raise the profile economical, psychological, physiological, of Reproductive Health (RH) in social re l ig io -po l t i ca l i ssues sur rounding development sector through public policy reproduction and human beings involved in engagement and media.the process, have made reproductive health, a taboo pandora box. For decades, concerned The theme f the Round Table Discussion was stakeholders, i.e. civil society organizations “Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and and government have been trying to address Reproductive Health in the Post Devolution the urgent health needs related to this very Scenario of Pakistan” where the focus was to natural but socially controversial function of review the Punjab Health Strategy from the human reproduction. Even today the policy reproductive health prospective. makers in Pakistan are unable to catch the bul l by the horns and provide a comprehensive reproductive health cover to The session started with the welcome address all the concerned segments of population. by Mr. Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, CEO-LEAD Pakistan. Women are worst affected by this situation, Speaking about the context of the Round and continuing global focus on reproductive table discussion he descr ibed the health especially for women also underlies development process of Millennium the importance of addressing the issue on Development Goals (MDGs) and the urgent basis. implementation thereof, highlighting the

inter-dependency of different MDGs on each Devolution has brought major changes in the other and lack of coherent approach in the governance and policy making of the social efforts to achieve them that have led to the development sector including health. current state of affairs.Provinces are preparing their policies and plans according to their respective ground “Majority of the countries who have failed to realities. The Government of Punjab has meet the targets set by MDGs, failed not chalked a “Punjab Health Strategic Plan 2013 - because of the scarcity of resources, 2020” to serve as a guideline for the health (resources are abundant) but because the system direction. Governance structures were weak. And

governance was not one of the targets”. The Round Table discussion was aimed at reviewing the Punjab Health Strategy with a Emphasizing the importance of Round table Reproductive Health lens by a select group of discussion and its national and international experts from civil society, academia, public relevance, he referred to the ongoing global and medical sector, to identify room for consultative processes on Development Goals improvements and come up with suggestions Beyond-2015 and Post Devolution scenario in for the government to make Punjab Health Pakistan.Strategy more reproductive health responsive. “Timing of this discussion is very opportune as

it is aligned with the global debate on Sustainable Development Goals beyond

'Our World' – Women Leadership in 2015, while in Pakistan the post devolution Reproductive Health & Development is a scenario has brought forth new opportunities project of LEAD Pakistan, in collaboration with and challenges in its wake. There is a huge

Proceedings

Background

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Round Table DiscussionReview of Punjab Health Strategy from Reproductive Health Perspective5th April 2013, Lahore

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g a p b e t we e n p o l i c y a n d long period for a strategy to æHealth System Governance implementation level in our r e m a i n r e l e v a n t . T h i s shou ld be focused and country that needs to be addressed consultative process should be improved to ensure achieving while devising policies and formalized and a Health meaningful results.implementation plans. Strategy focused Working Group

/ Monitoring body should be æInter-departmental linkages of Welcome note was followed by e s t a b l i s h e d i n c l u d i n g government departments and introduction of the participants. Dr. representatives from public and Public private partnership Mumtaz Eskar – Senior Technical private sectors to serve, not only should be enhanced and proper Advisor, Marie Stopes Society a supportive and facilitative role mechanisms should be spelled (MSS) shared a comprehensive for the health department but to out in the Strategy to ensure presentation on Reproductive act as a pressure group for implementation and follow up.Health (RH) situation in Pakistan ensuring the implementation of against international standards the Health Strategy. LEAD æPrivate sector is providing 70% and commitments including MDGs, should take leading role in this of health services but all the the agreed upon RH indicators and regard. preventive services are being the scope of RH in Punjab Health provided by the public sector. Strategy. She highlighted that æGender Based Violence (GBV) Mechanisms to encourage and family planning while being has been recognized globally as involve private health sector in mentioned in postpartum Care, the a public health concern. providing preventive health Punjab Health Strategy has missed Government of Pakistan is a services should be devised. out opportunities of advocacy and signatory to the international conversion to family planning like declaration committing to The recommendations from the antenatal care. She shared that the incorporate steps to eliminate roundtable discussion will be used change of policy focus is required GBV in all policies. GBV should in developing policy briefs that will from tertiary and curative to be recognized as a public health be shared in the forth coming primary and preventive health care concern in Punjab Health policy dialogues.to improve the bleak reproductive Strategy, with clearly spelled health indicators. o u t i m p l e m e n t a t i o n

mechanisms including capacity The Round Table Discussion was b u i l d i n g o f h ea l t h c a r e facilitated by Ms. Nabila Malick – providers.Director Advocacy, Rahnuma – Family Planning Association of æInternational protocols for Pakistan (FPAP). Multi-stakeholder screening Gender Based discussion panel included Dr. Zafar Violence should be made part of Ik ram, Prov inc ia l P rogram healthcare providers' training Coordinator, National M.N.C.H curriculum. Program; Dr. Zahida Sarwar, Deputy Provincial Coordinator, MNCH æReproductive Health should be Program from the Punjab Health recognized as a speciality to Department; Dr. Tasneem Zia, e n s u r e d e d i c a t e d a n d former Director Health Services specialized resources like (MCH/FP); Mr. Nadir Khalique, infrastructure, experts, training Deputy Secretary, Punjab Women institutions, service providers, Development Department; the financial allocations etc. subject specialists from Research & Development Solutions, Technical æSexual and Reproductive Health Resource Facility (TRF) and free (SRH) should be integrated with lance consultant, Ms. Yasmin Zaidi; the Essential Health Services the civil society experts from RH- Package (EHSP).AID and Rahnuma – FPAP; the practitioners from King Edward æAdolescent and youth should be Medical University and Mayo recognized as a separate target Hospital ; and international group in Punjab Health Strategy partners like CARE International in with specific information, Pakistan (CIP) and United Nations awareness, counseling and Population Fund (UNFPA). service delivery mechanisms

catering to their Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)

During the course of an enriching needs. discussion, following suggestions emerged as a result: æComprehensive Family Planning æPunjab Health Strategy has services should be made part of

been formulated for eight years Essential Health Services (2012 – 2020), which is a very Package (EHSP).

Recommendations

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æDr. Adnan Khan æAsifa Khanum æDr. Aisha Saher ZamanæDr. Huma HaideræDr. Jamil ChaudharyæKhadija AbbassæDr. Mydah TariqæDr. Mumtaz EskeræMuhammad Nadir KhaliqueæDr. Narmeen HamidæNabila MalickæDr. Pasha æDr. Syeda Zahida SarwaræDr. Tasneem ZiaæDr. Tariq RahimæDr. WaqasæYasmin ZaidiæDr. Zafar Ikram

æHasan A. RizviæAaliya HabibæSyeda Yumna Hasany

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

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