The launching ceremony of Dr. Sania Nishtar’s book “Choked Pipes – Reforming Pakistan’s Mixed Health System’ was held recently at a hotel in Karachi. The Book received an overwhelming response.
Praising Dr. Nishtar’s work, Prof. Dr. Rashid Jooma, Director General, Health Ministry who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, said that the author has drawn attention on a number of structural factors both within and outside the health care system and highlights the need to bring reforms to make this system work better. The book gives an in-depth review on Pakistan’s health system and the challenges faced in the field.
Dr. Khalif Bile Mohamud, WHO Country Representative, National Institute of Health Islamabad sharing his views said that the book “Choked Pipes” is the first review of Pakistan’s health system, and the first consolidated reform agenda ever developed for developing countries with mixed health systems. It represents the vast and diverse area ranging from maternal and child health to the control of diseases.
He further informed that in the book, Dr. Sania Nishtar has tried to cover many aspects with one publication. The book is relevant to Pakistan’s macro-economically constrained environment as it reveals a road map for addressing systemic constraints in the healthcare system and hence enhancing efficiencies. This book will help us to improve the health system of our country.
Syed Tipu Sultan, President-elect Pakistan Medical Association-Center (PMA) stated that the book was a review of the systemic failures obvious to everyone but the policy makers of Pakistan. The title of the book describes the situation of health system in Pakistan and after serving in the field of medicine for such a long time he had come to the conclusion that the pipes have been deliberately choked.
The book brings home the point that the disasters in the health sector are mostly man-made, rather than God-sent. “I repeat, man-made, as women have nothing to do with it,” he added.
Javaid Jabbar, Former Senator and Federal Minister, said that the launch of the book was more like the birth of a baby, “as this is truly a labour of love.” The writer had very rightly pointed out that Pakistan was the only country in the world to have a separate ministry for health and education, and the results are there for all to see.
Ameena Syed, Managing Director, Oxford University Press complimented Dr. Sania Nishtar by saying that the author provided the first consolidated review of Pakistan health system whereas it has a let forward a road map for much needed health reforming Pakistan.
She further added that the deficiencies of health services delivery system, imperfect access to essential medicine and deficiencies in the law pertaining to the regulation and distribution of healthcare as essentials.