Managers' Perspectives on the Devolved Health System Response to the Public Health Needs of Internally Displaced Persons in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract

Population displacement has been embedded in Pakistan's history since its inception in 1947. The displacement of more than 3 million people from the tribal areas of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan and their settlement in recipient areas have posed challenges to governance, service delivery, financial management, and integration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) into existing devolved district health systems. Evidence is lacking on the management of devolved health systems to respond to the public health needs of IDPs. The authors adapted qualitative methods to explore challenges faced by managers of health departments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in responding to the public health needs of IDPs and to explore policy recommendations for a devolved health system. Study findings revealed that the lack of a skilled workforce, lack of political will, financial limitations, and poor intersectoral collaboration had an impact on the humanitarian crisis response in the province. These findings suggest a dire need for overarching binding international laws and local national policies for complete protection of IDPs, particularly in regard to their health, shelter, and social security.