Dr Guido Sabatinelli WHO Representative of Pakistan  Dr Guido Sabatinelli, Special Representative and Director of Health, UNRWA, WHO Representative in Pakistan Following retirement of Dr. Khalif Bile as the Representative of WHO in Pakistan, Dr Hussein A. Gezairy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean appointed Dr Guido Sabatinelli as Acting WHO representative in Pakistan with effect from August 8, 2010.

The World Health Organization has been working with the Government of Pakistan since the inception of the Organization with the joint aspiration of realizing the highest attainable standard of health for the people of Pakistan. In this partnership, the Health for All approach has remained the central vision. The main thrust of WHO-Pakistan partnership has focused on national priorities and programme areas that will make a difference. 

During the past two biennia of joint technical collaboration, WHO has supported interventions in the areas of health policy and strategic planning, health systems and community development, health promotion and protection, and prevention and control of communicable diseases. The holistic approach to health sector and socioeconomic development has been applied. In addition, a number of essential health interventions have been implemented to reduce maternal, infant and child mortality rates and improve quality of life.  

There are five programme areas:

1. Communicable Diseases

1. Tuberculosis Control

2. HIV/AIDS Control

3. Malaria Control

4. Polio Eradication Initiative/ Expanded Programme on  Immunization

2. Primary Health Care/Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health

1. Primary Health Care

2. Maternal and Newborn Care

3. Child Health and Nutrition

4. Sustainable Development (Basic Development Needs)

3. Health Promotion

1. Mental Health           

2. Non-communicable Diseases

3. Health of Elderly

4. Tobacco Free Initiatives

5. Food Safety and Nutrition

4. Health System Development 

1. Health System Development  

2. Nursing and Parmedics

3. Vaccine Development

4. Health Information System 

5. Essential Drugs and Traditional Medicine

6. Blood Safety

5.  Emergency Preparedness and Response

1. Control of Disease Outbreaks

2. Environmental Health

3. Disabilities in Emergencies 

4. Revitalizing PHC in Emergency Settings

5. Psycho-Social Support in Emergencies

6. Emergency Response

Besides its function of providing technical support to the government, WHO supports the country under the broader UN umbrella. WHO assisted in the preparation of the Common Country Assessment (CCA) which is an overview of national development priorities and programmes, and the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), designed in partnership with the government. All these strategic documents guide WHO collaboration in Pakistan. 

The WHO Country Office continues to receive technical as well as financial support from the Regional Office and headquarters. The support includes visits of experts including WHO staff and the provision of extra budgetary resources. The support facilitates the activities of the WHO Country Office in influencing health sector development and coordination among national and international partners. 

The Regional Office supports a range of intercountry activities such as consultations and training. The Pakistan country office has actively participated in these events. These inctercountry activities facilitate exchange of information and experience and also support important programmes, such as vaccine development, essential drugs and operational research activities.