[Delivering as one] UN reform process to improve health partnerships and coordination: old challenges and encouraging lessons from Pakistan

The UN Secretary-General constituted a high-level panel on system-wide coherence in 2005 within the areas of development, humanitarian assistance and the environment. The panel adopted [Delivering as One] as a slogan for its coherence initiative. Pakistan was among eight pilot countries implementing this reform initiative. Five joint programmes were developed, on health and population; agriculture, rural development and poverty reduction; disaster risk management; education; arid environment. Fourteen UN agencies supported the health and population joint programme and participated in its implementation. Although confronted by many challenges, the positive results of the joint programmes confirmed the advantage of Delivering as One over the past scenarios of fragmentation, duplication and incoherent government and UN strategic operations. The paper shares the accomplishments of the health and population sector including its ability to harness the power of intersectoral collaboration and prospectively concentrate human and financial resources around the strategic national priorities

Human organ and tissue transplantation in Pakistan; when a regulation makes a difference

Organ transplantation must be viewed in relation to the prevailing cultural, religious and socio-economic conditions of a nation. Over the past two decades, Pakistan has emerged as one of the largest centres for commercial renal transplantation. Government efforts, supported by professional associations, civil society organizations and the media, along with World Health Organization technical assistance, have led to the development of legislation regulating this practice and curbing organ trade in conformity with international guidelines. Although only two years have passed since the enactment of the law, there is evidence that conditions have significantly improved, raising hopes for ethical and safe organ transplantation in Pakistan. This study reviews the salient features of the legislation and lists the foreseeable evolving challenges and opportunities