According to an official source, in FY05-06 a legislative framework for mandatory disease notification, public health emergencies and vital registration would be developed and presented to Pakistan's legislative body.
The government has expanded the "TB DOTS" programme through the public sector facilities. The population coverage has increased though the case detection remains low.
The TB programme has been made a five-year programme to expand TB case detection from 43 percent to 70 percent by expanding its partnership with the private sector, the source added.
During FY05-06, the programme would sign contract with at least three non-state providers to expand TB DOTS. Measles ranks first in terms of morbidity and mortality among the immunisable diseases. The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) has developed a comprehensive strategy for measles mortality reduction, including strengthening routine immunisation, introduction of second dose of measles vaccine into the EPI programme and supplement immunisation activities targeting susceptible age cohort.
During FY05-06, measles mortality reduction programme would undertake piloting of measles campaign in 4-6 districts for children 9 months to 15 years old and achieve at least 80 percent coverage.
The Malaria Control Programme in collaboration with NGO partnership would enhance the pace of implementation of use of Insecticide Treated Bed Nets (ITN) in 11 malaria endemic districts. During FY05-06 the coverage of ITNs would increase from close to 0 percent to 10 percent in the targeted districts, the source revealed.
Steps are being taken for functional integration of population and health services at the FLCF level. The plan is to locate the population welfare outlets in the basic health units of the district department of health. There is some progress in this regard in all provinces but the implementation is slow.
The population programme provides contraceptives to health sector; however, regular supply has been affected by different pricing policies in health and population. The Ministry of Health has prepared and approved micronutrient plan of action, which envisages phased expansion of universal salt iodisation programme by 2008.
Meanwhile, monitoring health indicators show that the immunisation (TT-1 and TT-2) coverage for pregnant women was increased during FY04 and FY05. TT-I immunisation coverage increased marginally from 40 percent in FY04 to 42 percent in FY05, whereas TT-II immunisation coverage also increased marginally from 43 percent in FY04 to 44 percent in FY05.
There is a substantial increase in TT-I (34 percent) and TT-II (44 percent) coverage in Fata during FY05 over FY04, which is commendable. There is a large increase in TT-I and TT-II coverage in AJK and ICT during FY05 relative to FY04. There is a decline in TT-I and TT-II coverage in NWFP, FANA and CDA in FY05 compared to FY04.