Dr Syeda Rashida Batool, District Health Officer Islamabad, represented Pakistan at the Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative where she outlined a practical approach to sustain public health programmes amid shifting global funding landscapes. Her presentation focused on maintaining essential services while adapting financing models to protect vulnerable communities.
Using the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) as a case study, Dr Batool described efforts to integrate immunisation services with broader primary care delivery and to pursue co-financing arrangements that reduce reliance on uncertain external grants. She emphasized the need for service integration so routine vaccination and other preventive interventions remain uninterrupted during funding transitions.
Crisis communication featured prominently in the discussions as a core component of resilient health systems. Dr Batool stressed that timely, transparent communication strengthens community trust, supports rapid response during emergencies and ensures continuity of essential public health functions across provinces and districts.
Her presentation reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to building sustainable and equitable public health systems through strengthened local capacities, strategic partnerships and adaptive financing measures that prioritize continuity of care despite global funding shifts.
