health - Learners’ Republic

Mental Health in Pakistan: Policymakers Need to Act Now

administrator — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 13:18:07 +0000

By Dr. Ayesha I. Mian, Momin Iqbal Lodhi, Mahrukh Nadeem Khan, Dr. Aisha Sanober Chachar, Dr. Sana Asif Siddiqui

Abstract

Health sector, and in particular mental health (MH), has not been prioritized in Pakistan. This policy note attempts to analyze the mental health challenge in Pakistan and aims to propose a policy response to address this issue. Mental illness is now responsible for the highest burden of illness globally and surpasses that of all cancers combined or cardiovascular disease. At any given time, about 1 in every 10 people worldwide suffers from a mental health disorder, and about 1 in 4 families has a member with a mental health disorder. This policy note suggests focusing on (a) legal and policy framework; (b) training and regulation of professional instruction in mental health; (c) mental health promotion, advocacy and alignment with SDGs; (d) mental health literacy and services in primary, secondary and higher educational institutes; (e) mental wellness through healthy parenting programs; and (f) organizational policies for mental health.

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Insights into the Informal Economy: Household Enterprises in Pakistan

administrator — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 11:33:45 +0000

By Dr. Umer Khalid

Abstract

Household owned micro-enterprises play an important role in generating livelihoods in developing countries like Pakistan. This paper presents first of its kind estimates of household enterprises in Pakistan using data from the Household Integrated Economic Survey 2015-16, including businesses operating in a fixed location or in mobile form. The analysis shows a total of 7.35 million household establishments operating in the country during 2015-16, with a slightly higher share in rural areas (52 percent), while province-wise, the significant share is based in Punjab (72 percent). The sectoral distribution shows that more than half of all household enterprises (53 percent) are working in the wholesale and retail trade sector, followed by transport and storage (14.6 percent) and manufacturing (13 percent) sectors. These household owned businesses have been severely hit by the recent slowdown in economic activities brought about by the COVID-19 crisis and require urgent support from the government. However, as such businesses are not registered with any government agency, it would be difficult to identify and reach them with any assistance. This study presents a roadmap for bringing these businesses operating in unorganized sector into the formal economy.

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Perspectives on Economic Policy & Governance in Pakistan

administrator — Mon, 10 May 2021 09:12:04 +0000

By Naveed Iftikhar

Abstract

This volume is a collection of Naved Iftikhar’s OpEds published in different newspapers from 2015-2021, compiled in the following sections:
1. Economic Governance
2. Startups & Entrepreneurship
3. Public Policy
4. Cities & Urban Governance
5. Economic Research

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