Communities cannot be strengthened with the health & nutrition issues:Dr. Zahid Pervaiz

Lahore: Communities cannot be strengthened unless their issues related to are resolved through multisectoral approach, said the experts in a consultative seminar arranged by the DFID, funded project EVA-BHN (empowerment voice & accountability by better health & nutrition) regarding Formation of Provincial Advocacy Forum.

Dr. Akhtar Rasheed Provincial Manager EVA-BHN Punjab gave a brief review of the project activities in Lahore, Sahiwal, Muzaffargarh, Layyah & Bhakar districts and shared the progress of District Advocacy Forum. He said that one of the key barriers being addressed by EVA is the structural deficits of civic spaces for citizens to engage with the public officials to raise their demands and meaningful interaction for response oriented improvement in RMNCH services.

Mukhtar Ali, Commissioner RTI Punjab shared his comments on  Citizens’ engagement in Improving Accountability and Policy Formulation and its linkages with the Right to Information Act.Ihtisham Akram senior policy & advocacy advisor shared that EVA-BHN is a citizen centric intervention to enable citizens for an active role in the governance of the health system through proactive engagement, creating demand for improved and efficient delivery for RMNCH services at Basic Health Unit. It aims to mobilize citizens, take stock of health services available at local level and engage through evolving charter of demand at district and provincial level.

The panelist included Salman Abid, Policy Analyst, Ali Bahadur Qazi Program Director Policy & Strategic Planning Unit Punjab, MPA Shunila Ruth, Rep minorities & MPA Saira Iftikhar participated as key note speaker.

The meeting was chaired by Director General Health Services Dr. Zahid Pervaiz and participants included representatives Department of Health Punjab, reps of UN agencies, development partners, civil society organization, and district bar association, media & trade union representatives.

Dr.Zahid Parvaiz, being the chair of the meeting appreciated the efforts of organizers for convening this first advocacy forum with citizen’s perspective. He endorsed the formation of Provincial Advocacy Forum Punjab and said that proposed consultative meeting is a first step towards this approach which is citizen centered in its objectives.

Dr. Zahid Parvaiz pledged support from Department of Health to resolve issues coming from citizens forum.