Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
The New Politics Of Governance In Karachi and Hyderabad, Sindh.
Pakistan has entered this new century with a million problems and almost no resources to deal with them both in economic and political terms.It now reminds me of Medusa's head. Ugly, complex, monstorous. But then there is hope and a sweet longing for survival and change. Karachi is the biggest town with teeming millions almost living as if plugged in like pieces of a puzzle. Apparently the lodgings, water supply, commodities and food markets are placed like monopoly cards, un-planned and almost like bets. For years this dynamic, big hearted city has survived without a master plan. Its citizens, initially few have welcomed people from all across the country with open arms and it was this evolving , open, dynamics which has made it into one of the largest cities in the world.
The ethno-political flavour and color has also evolved and changed over the last few decades. Initially, as the population was less, this appeared to offer no intra-ethnic tensions and almost two decades ago, the ethnic conflict, even when erupted somehow changed and was managed. The religio-sectarian divide was also not so prominent and was gradually made into a " You look after your house and I will mine, thing" by mutual agreement. The political groups have however evolved from formation, built a political behaviour history in the city and acquired popularity and reputations. The reflections in the current governmental and administrative tensions and dynamics in Sindh are a direct result of this evolution. Some very good things have happened also but they are few and far between.
I will discuss in detail as to what is the background of this current tension and what the future really holds for Karachi, Sindh and eventually for Pakistan if we do not understand the issues and work towards developing a consensus on most issues for the welfare of all the communities and political groups in Karachi. This I write about from the perspective of a modern, eductaed, middle class woman , citizen of Karachi who has nothing more dear to her heart except the welfare of the people of Karachi, Sindh and Pakistan.
Right upto 1980, the population of Karachi had almost doubled with entry of more people coming to eke out a living as labourers, industrial workers and some domestic help. The educational institutions also catered to and developed mostly in a private sector setup. After 1980, a larger migration of people from the Frontier province started occuring mostly of people who were better off economically and started setting up small businesse like shops for goods , textile and clothes. These sort of traders with a prosperous future to look forward to started sending their kids to schools, colleges and universities so much so that the present day enrolement in colleges and universities of patahn students is the largest single ethnic group. They are graduating and competing and entering post graduate degree seats and also the corporate and other national job markets in a larger volume. The debate about absorption and employment opportunities of any educated people is another matter to be handled by appropriate specialist.
The next biggest change in the socio-econo-political mileu that has occured in the dynamics of the Karachi make-up is that of the so-called "Muhajir" population. When Pakistan was formed in 1947 almost all iimigrants from Indian areas like UP, CP, Bombay and Kathiawar came to Sindh. Karachi bieng the largest port also recieved the largest qouta from these immigrants. Majority of thes immigrants or so called "Muhajirs" were educated people like clerks, teachers, professors, burauecracy etc. Some other professions like washerman or "Dhobis", carpenters, hakims, and other small traders also settled here. Due to a wide variety of the settlement people, all the different trades and professions developed unhindered and the evolving dynamics resulted in a vibrant Karachi, bustling with trade and business, offering jobs, economic activity, a life, a hope for a better future to all its residents.This color of Karachi remains to this day, as it is and it would be very sad if somehow it is changed or lost.
The administration of Karachi also evolved . The mayor was always there and there was a Council elected which sat in the Karachi Municpal Council building. The civic problems were taken care of by this council.
The expanding construction of buildings and houses to provide residences, offices, shops, warehouses, schools, colleges, and universities and hospitals resulted in the fight for space and propety as this became lucrative. Many large, influential groups of which some were landed from Sindh and some from the money lenders groups, over the years understood the importance of these initially large areas of land that were eventually taken over almost at a pittance and frequently even as a "Qabza" created the many, many groups or "the Monstorous Land Mafia". Frequent martial laws and lack of political representation in governments under martial law administrators resulted in opportunists taking advantage in these vested interest affairs inside city and economically benefitting some groups so much so that the dynamics of land acquisition and doing property business has evolved to a whole new level of corruption, death and destruction. These land mafia vested interest have now managed to buy alsmot everything from big businesses, police and other administartive interests and almost totally made ineffective the whole of the enfranchised, empowered political process. By this time the urban population has swelled to such big proportions that managing the socio-political vision has almost become impossible in the context of a basic civic rights paradigm or set up. The political groups that evolved were the MQM, a party which initially named itself as "Muhajir" identity group but eventually changed its name to "Muttahida" meaning united to indicate its acceptance or opening up to membership to other ethnicities make-up. The political structure of this large urban group based party has remained very organised in a fashion almost like the communist party of China, at all street level reaching upto the highest Central Raabta Committee. Due to their poor and middleclass backgrounds, its workers maybe from larger posh areas also but maintain a simple discipline. The civic behaviour is also apparent in its workers set up.Due to the different political changes in Pakistan and the imposition of the various martial laws, the political history of the MQM is closely linked to its socio-political behaviour with certain regimes. For example, during th BB government a kind of operation was done in the densely populated areas of Karachi in which many of its workers were arrested and put behind bars in order to "tame" them . It was generally known in the non-MQM circles at the time that these "boys " are getting out of hand and the stories of extortion, torture and punishment of people were abundant. The "counter" group of young people like "Najeeb" were giving resistance to these other forces. This confrontational politics in Karachi continued for a time but then a lid was put over the simmering boiling pot.
The present tense nature of distrust between PPP and Mqm has also its links to the 12th May tragedy in which more than 50people were killed in Karachi.
Meanwhile the Pathan construction workers , with the help of the money lending mafia, grew to become contractors. This construction opportunity provided a large employment to Pathan youth who if lacking in education would find a job always and eventually improve their lives. Their children eventually gain education and move up the social ladder and change their social standing with all modern, urban comforts.
The Local Sindhi population which resided in "goths " or small village like abodes still exists but the makeup has changed as newer residents have moved in and the initial moved out to better abodes. This issue still remains as large thorn in the side of the PPP- MQM coalition partnership.
Meanwhile, the complex social interaction has changed and moved beyond simple points of contact. The issue has become more " Status" concious in the context of money, education , area of residence, etc The ethno- social interaction is also changing. for example there is a term a s"beyod the Bridge" meaning the residents of Clifton and Defence and all the millions beyond that. This divide also has strange and negative social implications but that is a topic for another post.
During the Musharraf regime, the city of Karachi, devloped its road and bridges infrastructure as a large sum of money was devoted to this and this did give the city a better communication infrastructure.Due to handling this development by the city mayor under the MQM, the party did gain some goodwill. But the bitter truth is to be revealed by me a s a citizen who is watching and hoping that all sane people ,including those at the highest level do not let the bull inside the china shop.
The issue of ethnic tension between the Pathan and MQM remains as an ugly and dangerous smoking pot. The face of ANP becomes parochial and ethnic in Karachi as the leadership is that from a lower level in Karachi. I am not aware why the ANP, still chooses a less eductaed leadership in Karachi whereas there are better options. This maybe due to the power and group of individuals inside their party in Karachi.
The PPP also seems to have confined its politics along ethnic lines. Its members in government except a few, are almost imposed on Karachi as they are residing in Karachi. The heavy weights in PPP are all landed, fuedals . They have only Houses in Clifton and Defence and thus no political representation in Karachi. The traditional vote from Karachi remains same after so many years of its existence. MQM has only come about in the last two decades. It is amazing and reflective of the leadership in qualty and vision of the Sindh Peoples Party that they have neither competed, nor managed to gain a larger vote from th urban middle class of Karachi. It is reflective of the sheer lack of insight, education and dynamics in the idealogical attraction given to an urban population. Was it deliberate or was it ignorance. I do not thing that Benazir would do either deliberately or out of ignorance. It just puts the fact bare that the leadership of Sindh is not upto the mark in taking the urban middle class along with its party ideology. The face of PPP in Sindh is nationalistic. In both these set ups, the vision and ideology of Bhuttos is bieng countered or if not that at least bieng slumbered upon.
At the end I have at this point in time reached a conclusion that the politics in Karachi, of Karachi have turned to a Socio-ethnic level only. The leadership of the Sindh Peoples Party really needs to wake up and arm itself not with the ammunition of weapons but Eductaion, understanding and consensus building. President Asif Ali Zardari realises the need for consensus building and is always taking steps to improve the situation. I do hope the other stake holders realise this.
The intense divide between the thinking of MQM and Sindh Peoples Party is also reflected in the issue of the division of Hyderabad in four districts. The PPP insistense on reversion is creaing tensions in the coalition. Hyderabad had become almsot unmaneageably degenerated before the administarative division. It had become imperative that unless something was done to salvage theis immediately, there would be disaster. It was decided by the Musharraf regime, to develop Hyderabad also by the districts formation for better prospects. politically it disenfranchises the PPP vote. This is also a step that the Gilani government has decide to take as a reversion of division of Hyderabad as a bitter pill. The federal government is not too keen on undoing allthe steps taken by Musharraf regime like local government etc, but in the context of Sindh it has to do what is the popular demand, though however detrimental to modern civic behavior and health by its Sindh PPP leadership.
Hyderabad also needs to be divided not only in four but smaller administrative units so that the rural population also benefits. But the politics of ethnicity that is MQM labelled as "Muhajirs" and PPP with "Sindhi" face seems to be priority for the Sindh PPP. The Sindh cities really need to develop and develop fast in order to be economically viable. The incessant corruption in Sindh especially in eductaion and infrastructure development has really eaten away at these cities. The PPP Sindh needs to really weed out corruption fron Sindh and instead of blaming MQM and "Muhajirs"for all of Sindh's ills. It should realistically find new ways and means to fight against corruption and bring up their social indicators. The economical benefits from Karachi to Pakistan makes it imperative on Sindh PPP understand the new dynamics of economic and political development. Only in the context of modern civic living will this complex and damaging ethnic divide be bridged for a better , prosperous future for Sindh, and for Pakistan.
The ethno-political flavour and color has also evolved and changed over the last few decades. Initially, as the population was less, this appeared to offer no intra-ethnic tensions and almost two decades ago, the ethnic conflict, even when erupted somehow changed and was managed. The religio-sectarian divide was also not so prominent and was gradually made into a " You look after your house and I will mine, thing" by mutual agreement. The political groups have however evolved from formation, built a political behaviour history in the city and acquired popularity and reputations. The reflections in the current governmental and administrative tensions and dynamics in Sindh are a direct result of this evolution. Some very good things have happened also but they are few and far between.
I will discuss in detail as to what is the background of this current tension and what the future really holds for Karachi, Sindh and eventually for Pakistan if we do not understand the issues and work towards developing a consensus on most issues for the welfare of all the communities and political groups in Karachi. This I write about from the perspective of a modern, eductaed, middle class woman , citizen of Karachi who has nothing more dear to her heart except the welfare of the people of Karachi, Sindh and Pakistan.
Right upto 1980, the population of Karachi had almost doubled with entry of more people coming to eke out a living as labourers, industrial workers and some domestic help. The educational institutions also catered to and developed mostly in a private sector setup. After 1980, a larger migration of people from the Frontier province started occuring mostly of people who were better off economically and started setting up small businesse like shops for goods , textile and clothes. These sort of traders with a prosperous future to look forward to started sending their kids to schools, colleges and universities so much so that the present day enrolement in colleges and universities of patahn students is the largest single ethnic group. They are graduating and competing and entering post graduate degree seats and also the corporate and other national job markets in a larger volume. The debate about absorption and employment opportunities of any educated people is another matter to be handled by appropriate specialist.
The next biggest change in the socio-econo-political mileu that has occured in the dynamics of the Karachi make-up is that of the so-called "Muhajir" population. When Pakistan was formed in 1947 almost all iimigrants from Indian areas like UP, CP, Bombay and Kathiawar came to Sindh. Karachi bieng the largest port also recieved the largest qouta from these immigrants. Majority of thes immigrants or so called "Muhajirs" were educated people like clerks, teachers, professors, burauecracy etc. Some other professions like washerman or "Dhobis", carpenters, hakims, and other small traders also settled here. Due to a wide variety of the settlement people, all the different trades and professions developed unhindered and the evolving dynamics resulted in a vibrant Karachi, bustling with trade and business, offering jobs, economic activity, a life, a hope for a better future to all its residents.This color of Karachi remains to this day, as it is and it would be very sad if somehow it is changed or lost.
The administration of Karachi also evolved . The mayor was always there and there was a Council elected which sat in the Karachi Municpal Council building. The civic problems were taken care of by this council.
The expanding construction of buildings and houses to provide residences, offices, shops, warehouses, schools, colleges, and universities and hospitals resulted in the fight for space and propety as this became lucrative. Many large, influential groups of which some were landed from Sindh and some from the money lenders groups, over the years understood the importance of these initially large areas of land that were eventually taken over almost at a pittance and frequently even as a "Qabza" created the many, many groups or "the Monstorous Land Mafia". Frequent martial laws and lack of political representation in governments under martial law administrators resulted in opportunists taking advantage in these vested interest affairs inside city and economically benefitting some groups so much so that the dynamics of land acquisition and doing property business has evolved to a whole new level of corruption, death and destruction. These land mafia vested interest have now managed to buy alsmot everything from big businesses, police and other administartive interests and almost totally made ineffective the whole of the enfranchised, empowered political process. By this time the urban population has swelled to such big proportions that managing the socio-political vision has almost become impossible in the context of a basic civic rights paradigm or set up. The political groups that evolved were the MQM, a party which initially named itself as "Muhajir" identity group but eventually changed its name to "Muttahida" meaning united to indicate its acceptance or opening up to membership to other ethnicities make-up. The political structure of this large urban group based party has remained very organised in a fashion almost like the communist party of China, at all street level reaching upto the highest Central Raabta Committee. Due to their poor and middleclass backgrounds, its workers maybe from larger posh areas also but maintain a simple discipline. The civic behaviour is also apparent in its workers set up.Due to the different political changes in Pakistan and the imposition of the various martial laws, the political history of the MQM is closely linked to its socio-political behaviour with certain regimes. For example, during th BB government a kind of operation was done in the densely populated areas of Karachi in which many of its workers were arrested and put behind bars in order to "tame" them . It was generally known in the non-MQM circles at the time that these "boys " are getting out of hand and the stories of extortion, torture and punishment of people were abundant. The "counter" group of young people like "Najeeb" were giving resistance to these other forces. This confrontational politics in Karachi continued for a time but then a lid was put over the simmering boiling pot.
The present tense nature of distrust between PPP and Mqm has also its links to the 12th May tragedy in which more than 50people were killed in Karachi.
Meanwhile the Pathan construction workers , with the help of the money lending mafia, grew to become contractors. This construction opportunity provided a large employment to Pathan youth who if lacking in education would find a job always and eventually improve their lives. Their children eventually gain education and move up the social ladder and change their social standing with all modern, urban comforts.
The Local Sindhi population which resided in "goths " or small village like abodes still exists but the makeup has changed as newer residents have moved in and the initial moved out to better abodes. This issue still remains as large thorn in the side of the PPP- MQM coalition partnership.
Meanwhile, the complex social interaction has changed and moved beyond simple points of contact. The issue has become more " Status" concious in the context of money, education , area of residence, etc The ethno- social interaction is also changing. for example there is a term a s"beyod the Bridge" meaning the residents of Clifton and Defence and all the millions beyond that. This divide also has strange and negative social implications but that is a topic for another post.
During the Musharraf regime, the city of Karachi, devloped its road and bridges infrastructure as a large sum of money was devoted to this and this did give the city a better communication infrastructure.Due to handling this development by the city mayor under the MQM, the party did gain some goodwill. But the bitter truth is to be revealed by me a s a citizen who is watching and hoping that all sane people ,including those at the highest level do not let the bull inside the china shop.
The issue of ethnic tension between the Pathan and MQM remains as an ugly and dangerous smoking pot. The face of ANP becomes parochial and ethnic in Karachi as the leadership is that from a lower level in Karachi. I am not aware why the ANP, still chooses a less eductaed leadership in Karachi whereas there are better options. This maybe due to the power and group of individuals inside their party in Karachi.
The PPP also seems to have confined its politics along ethnic lines. Its members in government except a few, are almost imposed on Karachi as they are residing in Karachi. The heavy weights in PPP are all landed, fuedals . They have only Houses in Clifton and Defence and thus no political representation in Karachi. The traditional vote from Karachi remains same after so many years of its existence. MQM has only come about in the last two decades. It is amazing and reflective of the leadership in qualty and vision of the Sindh Peoples Party that they have neither competed, nor managed to gain a larger vote from th urban middle class of Karachi. It is reflective of the sheer lack of insight, education and dynamics in the idealogical attraction given to an urban population. Was it deliberate or was it ignorance. I do not thing that Benazir would do either deliberately or out of ignorance. It just puts the fact bare that the leadership of Sindh is not upto the mark in taking the urban middle class along with its party ideology. The face of PPP in Sindh is nationalistic. In both these set ups, the vision and ideology of Bhuttos is bieng countered or if not that at least bieng slumbered upon.
At the end I have at this point in time reached a conclusion that the politics in Karachi, of Karachi have turned to a Socio-ethnic level only. The leadership of the Sindh Peoples Party really needs to wake up and arm itself not with the ammunition of weapons but Eductaion, understanding and consensus building. President Asif Ali Zardari realises the need for consensus building and is always taking steps to improve the situation. I do hope the other stake holders realise this.
The intense divide between the thinking of MQM and Sindh Peoples Party is also reflected in the issue of the division of Hyderabad in four districts. The PPP insistense on reversion is creaing tensions in the coalition. Hyderabad had become almsot unmaneageably degenerated before the administarative division. It had become imperative that unless something was done to salvage theis immediately, there would be disaster. It was decided by the Musharraf regime, to develop Hyderabad also by the districts formation for better prospects. politically it disenfranchises the PPP vote. This is also a step that the Gilani government has decide to take as a reversion of division of Hyderabad as a bitter pill. The federal government is not too keen on undoing allthe steps taken by Musharraf regime like local government etc, but in the context of Sindh it has to do what is the popular demand, though however detrimental to modern civic behavior and health by its Sindh PPP leadership.
Hyderabad also needs to be divided not only in four but smaller administrative units so that the rural population also benefits. But the politics of ethnicity that is MQM labelled as "Muhajirs" and PPP with "Sindhi" face seems to be priority for the Sindh PPP. The Sindh cities really need to develop and develop fast in order to be economically viable. The incessant corruption in Sindh especially in eductaion and infrastructure development has really eaten away at these cities. The PPP Sindh needs to really weed out corruption fron Sindh and instead of blaming MQM and "Muhajirs"for all of Sindh's ills. It should realistically find new ways and means to fight against corruption and bring up their social indicators. The economical benefits from Karachi to Pakistan makes it imperative on Sindh PPP understand the new dynamics of economic and political development. Only in the context of modern civic living will this complex and damaging ethnic divide be bridged for a better , prosperous future for Sindh, and for Pakistan.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Pakistan Happenings...April2010.
The "historical" event and much acclaimed about political parties was the 18th amendment which finished off the 17th amendment , doing away with the all empowered presidential seat and the ban on third time prime ministerial seat, which hung around the neck of Nawaz Sharif.The controversial points which are bieng disliked by many are doing away with increased women's seat, intraparty elections and the change of name of NWFP to Khyber- Pakhtunkhuwa. There have been very bad kind of mob protests, mainly by non-political party groups whose name is little known suddenly, burning breaking public property, buses and halting all traffic and business. The over strong action by police, killing 10 people in Hazara has led to people asking questions about the intent of the administartion to use more force. The question here is what should the administration do as there are suicide bombings almost everyday in the province. The Hazara seperate province group has suddenly become very vocal.This is fanning the other seperate province moves also.
The other events that are creating havoc are almost daily suicide bombings, in the frontier province and Baluchistan. The Kohat bombing yesterday where twin suicide attacks killed at least 40 people, some of them poor IDPs who had lind up for food aid and in Quetta inside hospital, where a killed banker, son of a Shia leader was bieng visited by an MNA and media, are are truely gruesome. As I write this post another bomb blast has occured in Peshawar. The frequency with which schools are bieng blown up and bombings occuring is so frequent that I am unable either to keep count or write in detail about them.
The UN commission on Benazir Bhutto's murder has also given a report. Some like the PPP call it vindication and some question the authenticity, intent, and completeness of the investigation.The pointing of fingers at general (retired) Musharraf has him reacting prematurely and saying things like " he has a shot left in his armour" has opened up a musical chairs game in pointing fingers and trying to find answers .The entire country wants to know the answer in black and white.If Baitullah Mehsud was the mastermind then he has succeeded in planting suspicious seeds and tightening the noose or almost around his enemy. meanwhile conspiracy theories, which the Pakistanis are so fond of due to any logical and illiterate approach to investigation, aboud, and circulate. For the Zardari haters it still remains a much parrotted "who gained most from her death' theory as if getting a presidential seat and the party Co-Chairmanship is maximum benefit. What about applying this logic to Pakistan's enemies like the militants and the terrorists. Do not they gain maximum by depriving Pakistan from an able and energetic leader who may have been able to take the country forward?
As I write about these thoughts I want to share a few startling things I discovered trying to make a list of young , promising Pakistani politicians on Twitter.There were only three , two of them women and one male . Out of the two women , one does not even describes herself as politician but an author, activist and a journalist. no mention of Dasti , the lying about his graduation parliamentarian, who the PPP is giving ticket to again. Out of the other dynastic progeny in political parties, none is on twitter or facebook, none cares what other people think or write or say. By the way the three on twitter also dont care for any interaction and their mmessaging is shut like masters or kings. Long live failing Pakistan. (This definition and explaination another time)
The other events that are creating havoc are almost daily suicide bombings, in the frontier province and Baluchistan. The Kohat bombing yesterday where twin suicide attacks killed at least 40 people, some of them poor IDPs who had lind up for food aid and in Quetta inside hospital, where a killed banker, son of a Shia leader was bieng visited by an MNA and media, are are truely gruesome. As I write this post another bomb blast has occured in Peshawar. The frequency with which schools are bieng blown up and bombings occuring is so frequent that I am unable either to keep count or write in detail about them.
The UN commission on Benazir Bhutto's murder has also given a report. Some like the PPP call it vindication and some question the authenticity, intent, and completeness of the investigation.The pointing of fingers at general (retired) Musharraf has him reacting prematurely and saying things like " he has a shot left in his armour" has opened up a musical chairs game in pointing fingers and trying to find answers .The entire country wants to know the answer in black and white.If Baitullah Mehsud was the mastermind then he has succeeded in planting suspicious seeds and tightening the noose or almost around his enemy. meanwhile conspiracy theories, which the Pakistanis are so fond of due to any logical and illiterate approach to investigation, aboud, and circulate. For the Zardari haters it still remains a much parrotted "who gained most from her death' theory as if getting a presidential seat and the party Co-Chairmanship is maximum benefit. What about applying this logic to Pakistan's enemies like the militants and the terrorists. Do not they gain maximum by depriving Pakistan from an able and energetic leader who may have been able to take the country forward?
As I write about these thoughts I want to share a few startling things I discovered trying to make a list of young , promising Pakistani politicians on Twitter.There were only three , two of them women and one male . Out of the two women , one does not even describes herself as politician but an author, activist and a journalist. no mention of Dasti , the lying about his graduation parliamentarian, who the PPP is giving ticket to again. Out of the other dynastic progeny in political parties, none is on twitter or facebook, none cares what other people think or write or say. By the way the three on twitter also dont care for any interaction and their mmessaging is shut like masters or kings. Long live failing Pakistan. (This definition and explaination another time)
Saturday, April 17, 2010
NEJM: Physicians must 'take back' ownership of EHRs
NEJM: Physicians must 'take back' ownership of EHRs
I created an EMR based on clinical practice. Was too early for Pakistan? For the world? Back in 2002.
I created an EMR based on clinical practice. Was too early for Pakistan? For the world? Back in 2002.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Why OSAMA BIN LADEN Is Right And We Are Not!
Gotcha! Ha! Listening? Looking?
Watch Now!
So the world watches ,listens and sees when its attention is caught. Othewise a NANO bieng like myself can write NICE article, NEW thing but BULLSHIT who sees , who listens. Well , this is not a depressed female rant. I am trying to write a new serious post about the new BUSINESS model for HEALTHCARE as envisaged by the HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW and also where in the world WE (3.8 BILLION ASIANS) do we stand when the very modern strategy is applied and HITS US?
Asia is uneven. In terms of ECONOMY, PER CAPITA INCOME, and plain right means to address or RESTRUCTURE , where do we the ASIANS stand ?
Our Children OR midgets?
According to the HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW, there will be ten new COMMANDMENTS according to which our health , well THEIR health needs will be addressed .
Asia is uneven in terms of health , education, service delivery mechanisms and institutions in social sectors. CORRUPTION, Social sector budgeting. The Chinese model of growth will be not emulated by any other Asian economy as the BLUEPRINT is very different in India and others. However, the level of HEALTH DELIVERY and OUTCOMES will depend on the PRIORITY given to HEALTHCARE, the need to keep Millinium Development Goals as THE development/ political agenda, the warding away and prioritizing Budgetary allocations on Social sector and of course fighting or WEEDING OUT CORRUPTION.
The Asian picture arises as MALARIA, TUBERCULOSIS, OTHER ENDEMICS LIKE TYPHOID, INFLUENZA and their control, and providing health services in an even manner to SUCH Large populations such as INDIA(1.14 billion) and CHINA (1.325 billion). In case of infectious diseases which are likely to become pandemic the capacity of the HOST COUNTRIES to PREVENT and CONTROL these monsters is again questonable.
According to this post (Megatrends in global healthcare by Karen Dillon and Steve Prokesch http://hbr.org/web/extras/insight-center/health-care/globaltrends/), the trends in typical diseases of the West will arise sharply in the East as the population and lifestyle changes in Asia. The needs and expenditure will also need to be addressed.
So the entire paradigm for HEALTH SERVICE PLANNING AND DELIVERY is VASTLY DIFFERENT in THE TWO WORLDS APART like the WEST and the EAST.
Planning or PLANING?
A question thus arises here what will be the impact on the Developed world if we fall short/ slip away/do not prioritize the HEALTH NEEDS of ASIA?.Look for answers WHERE?
I think gone are the days of massive policy planning at GOVERNMENT level inputs. Now the whole approachshould be GRASSROOTS. How the health of a nation improves should START at the community level. Policy INPUTS also have to be from BOTTOMS UP
Dive or Delve?Prepared to face the Health Challenge in Asia?
,just like EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE. And a the new trends arise in sophisticated health delivery systems like vending machines for BP, Cholesterol checks,remote reporting, these will definitely help the far off .
(See Innovations and demand soar in emerging economies, Innovations that will Transform Medicine by Gardiner Morse, http://hbr.org/web/extras/insight-center/healthcare/10innovations/ )
The communities that do not have trained health personnel will also be helped as in the remote villages and mountaineous dwellers in Pakistan.
The only hurdle is the cost of providing the new technology for health care, but then the budgeting and funding needs to be Prioritized in terms of HEALTH OUTCOMES and IMPACT.(I am not even thinking about making mobile fones HEALTH SMART& they want their excitement thru IPAD only, right now!)
Food, Nutrition, Obesity, Diabetes, Ear Wax?///Health Impact and outcomes???Cost effective healthcare/health costs packages?
by now you must have read the links I attached and must have started thinking about the WIDE GAP between the two WORLDS of WEST(DEVELOPED) and EASTand I mean Asia (DEVELOPING AND UNDERDEVELOPED) all lumped into one countries and its socio-political and socio-economic impact.
Grey matter turning into Grey areas, eh?
Choices of Cost effective Strategies, health Insurance/ cost packages , priority areas for health intervention or ZOOM!!!!!!What health Markets???/
Watch Now!Asia is uneven. In terms of ECONOMY, PER CAPITA INCOME, and plain right means to address or RESTRUCTURE , where do we the ASIANS stand ?
Our Children OR midgets?Asia is uneven in terms of health , education, service delivery mechanisms and institutions in social sectors. CORRUPTION, Social sector budgeting. The Chinese model of growth will be not emulated by any other Asian economy as the BLUEPRINT is very different in India and others. However, the level of HEALTH DELIVERY and OUTCOMES will depend on the PRIORITY given to HEALTHCARE, the need to keep Millinium Development Goals as THE development/ political agenda, the warding away and prioritizing Budgetary allocations on Social sector and of course fighting or WEEDING OUT CORRUPTION.
The Asian picture arises as MALARIA, TUBERCULOSIS, OTHER ENDEMICS LIKE TYPHOID, INFLUENZA and their control, and providing health services in an even manner to SUCH Large populations such as INDIA(1.14 billion) and CHINA (1.325 billion). In case of infectious diseases which are likely to become pandemic the capacity of the HOST COUNTRIES to PREVENT and CONTROL these monsters is again questonable.
According to this post (Megatrends in global healthcare by Karen Dillon and Steve Prokesch http://hbr.org/web/extras/insight-center/health-care/globaltrends/), the trends in typical diseases of the West will arise sharply in the East as the population and lifestyle changes in Asia. The needs and expenditure will also need to be addressed.
Planning or PLANING?I think gone are the days of massive policy planning at GOVERNMENT level inputs. Now the whole approachshould be GRASSROOTS. How the health of a nation improves should START at the community level. Policy INPUTS also have to be from BOTTOMS UP
Dive or Delve?Prepared to face the Health Challenge in Asia?,just like EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE. And a the new trends arise in sophisticated health delivery systems like vending machines for BP, Cholesterol checks,remote reporting, these will definitely help the far off .
(See Innovations and demand soar in emerging economies, Innovations that will Transform Medicine by Gardiner Morse, http://hbr.org/web/extras/insight-center/healthcare/10innovations/ )
The communities that do not have trained health personnel will also be helped as in the remote villages and mountaineous dwellers in Pakistan.
The only hurdle is the cost of providing the new technology for health care, but then the budgeting and funding needs to be Prioritized in terms of HEALTH OUTCOMES and IMPACT.(I am not even thinking about making mobile fones HEALTH SMART& they want their excitement thru IPAD only, right now!)
Food, Nutrition, Obesity, Diabetes, Ear Wax?///Health Impact and outcomes???Cost effective healthcare/health costs packages?
Choices of Cost effective Strategies, health Insurance/ cost packages , priority areas for health intervention or ZOOM!!!!!!What health Markets???/
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