Interview; Dr Sabeena Imran Durrani
Director General National Emergency Health Services – Ministry of Health , Gov of Pakistan
Tazeen Akhtar + Mustafa Khan / Pics – Asif Farooq
Health is Wealth – It is English saying. In Urdu we say “Tandarusti Hazaar Nemat Hay” – It is true that the richest person is who is healthy having no disease and all organs working good. Developed countries attach more funds with health system but in third world hardly one % of the national budget is allocated to health. Then comes the red tap and bureaucratic hurdles in the way to get easy treatment at different levels particularly during health emergencies. We discussed the same with Dr Sabeena Imran Durrani, Director General National Emergency Health Services (NEHS) – Ministry of Health , Gov of Pakistan.
We have been highlighting during our extensive work on different sectors that there is so much duplicity and waste of human resources and finance in gov departments including NGOs. One task has been divided into 5 to 10 different departments organizations while somewhere all are doing the same with low or insufficient coordination, interaction and integration.
The expenditures are multiplied but the result remains unsatisfactory. Same is the situation in health sector and particularly in a dept dealing with health emergencies . 
Pakistan is a disaster prone country therefore we have established National Disaster Management Authority to deal with all disaster related matters, its prevention, preparedness and response except health related matters which comes under the domain of NEHS, an executive dept of M/o NHRSC.
Despite the fact that NHEPRC now renamed as NEHS is the most important dept but unfortunately its performance remain low due to multiple factors or we can say that this dept has not been utilised for the purpose it was established.
Dr Sabeena Imran Durrani admitted that , “Yes ! duplicity and waste of finance is the dilemma in our country. we are good in making policies but the issue lies in its implementation and sustainability. She further said that the performance of NEHS remain unsatisfactory due to multiple reasons like leadership.
Since establishment of this dept she is the first DG who is a Permanent employee of this dept. In the past this seat was filled through deputation on temporary basis. As a result when this dept was not performing well, gap was created and this gap was filled by different departments thus the responsibilities of this dept were taken over by multiple other stakeholders.
After joining NEHS she is adamant to revitalize this dept and for this purpose she is in constant contact with the Ministry, struggling to operationalize her dept or convincing them to decide the fate of this dept not to keep it as a white elephant.
She carries a bright record of high qualification in health sector and disaster management. She is Medical Doctor , having MBBS from Khayber Medical College Peshawar, MSc in Disaster Management from University of Leicester UK, Masters in Public Health, and Masters in Public Administration. She has started her career in M/,o Population welfare then worked in Establishment division, National Counter Terrorism Authority NACTA and NDMA at responsible posts.
What is the state of the concerned departments in a country that is the worst hit by climate change disasters , pandemics? The answer can be seen at National Emergency Health Services. currently Dr Sabina is facing a challenge to make her dept functional but how? when There is no staff and no funds and other resources at the disposal of the DG.
The number of staff at NEHS is 47 including 1 DG, 1 Director, 5 Deputy Directors but presently there is one DG supported by only lower staff with no single officer. The officers and officials of this dept are working in the ministry but getting their salaries from NEHS
We asked DG how you are working with no staff left here?
Dr Sabeena replied,” I am conveying to all concerned about the plight of NEHS seeking their decision to make it operative or decide the fate of this dept, either we want to make it functional or abolish? For this we have requested the ministry to get performance appraisal of this dept to be done by MSW of establishment division., then decide the fate of this dept”
Dr Sabeena is not for a seat and salary only, she does not prefer post, perks & privileges only. She wants to deliver. She has initiated different projects to serve the public in the health sector on her own.
Tele-health facility effective for treatment of routine medical issues
NEHS -NARC
She has engaged her department with National Agricultural Research Council (NARC) in Botanical Gardening, Kitchen Gardening and Bee Keeping projects. She says , ” These projects are for the health as well as for financial empowerment of the communities in case of disasters. I attach great importance to empowerment of women. Bee keeping is the best for women to raise finance for their households and it is very helpful after the disasters in restoration to life again.”
Medical Tourism
Dr Sabeena emphasizes upon promotion of medical tourism in Pakistan. A large number of patients visit India, China from around the world for treatment. They have many national and international recognized hospitals. Pakistan has only 3 nationally recognized hospitals for that purpose.
They are Shifa International Islamabad, Agha Khan Karachi and Shaukat Khanum Lahore. we need more Nationally accredited hospitals. She says, ” We can offer international aspirants for Cosmetology, Dentistry, Organ Transplant and Cardiology. First two categories allow the patients to move around and visit the tourist sites during their treatment. Pakistan offers quality treatment, cost effective, less waiting time .
Medical Visa
Dr Sabeena mentioned Medical Visa facility for who intends to visit Pakistan for medical treatment. Pakistan has started Medical Visa for long and short term categories. medical tourism initiative was started is in connection with economic outreach program initiated 3 years ago. Pakistan can earn huge revenue in foreign currency if medical tourism is promoted around the world.
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation PTDC can discuss medical tour packages with registered tour operators for that purpose. Tour operators are willing to work on medical tourism.
Collaboration with APPNA
“The Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) is in contact with us for medical tourism in Pakistan. We have developed a website on which all information has been shared, Dr Sabeena Imran said.
Here it is important to note that Pakistani Doctors have a big circle of their influence in USA from where a large number of Pakistanis visit their country for medical treatment especially dentistry for its cheap charges here. APPNA can amicably enhance the visitors in medical tourism system with their recommendation.
DG said, ” The scheme was introduced in Dubai expo as well in 2022 . The participants appreciated it a lot.
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Women Empowerment
Dr Sabeena Imran attaches great importance to women empowerment by improving their skill. She advocates long term sustainable policies for women empowerment. She does not endorse cash support to women without linking it to school enrollment, Family Planning, vaccination and improving other social indicators etc.
Healthy Lifestyle
As we are in touch with Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) in their campaigns on awareness about injurious affects of Sugary Drinks , Processed and Ultra Processed foods on human health, we asked DG how the people should be kept away from these things?
She lamented that the health of next generation is not satisfactory. Most of our youth is malnutritioned and victim of different diseases at their early age.Mothers are busy in their activities and the kids are left upon the servants. Cerelac or cereal is considered complete nutrition for the kids that is not the fact.
Media glorify processed foods in advertisements. Youth take it as ready to eat food. This is ignorance. She appreciated the efforts to raise awareness about the hazards of such foods among the people and to sensitise the people to adopt healthy life style activities, focus on balanced and nutritious diet .
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