The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has presented bill in the provincial assembly for the establishment of Health Foundation to promote and develop an innovative healthcare delivery models and improve coverage through various means of Public Private Partnership for healthcare delivery services.
After the commencement of the Act to be extended to the whole province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at once, the provincial government will establish a foundation to be known as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Foundation, for the development, promotion and facilitation of public private partnership through various means, in line with the health policy of the provincial government.
The proposed foundation will be a body corporate, having main office at Peshawar, having perpetual succession, and a common seal with power to acquire and dispose of property both movable and immovable and will by the said name 'sue and be sued'.
The oversight, guidance, management and general control of the foundation and its affairs will be rest in the Board of Governors, which will exercise all powers and do all acts and things that may be exercised or done by the foundation.
The government, not later than two months, from the date of the commencement of the Act, will notify the board, which will consist of a chairperson and such officials and non-official members.
The government on the recommendation of Search and Nomination Council shall appoint chairperson from amongst its non-official members, who will preside over the meetings of board. Other members will be Secretary, Planning & Development, Special Secretary Health, one representative of KP Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KPCCI), one economist, civil society representative, social development organisation with experience in health and other relevant, philanthropist/industrialist with experience in business and industries.
A meeting of the board will be called by the chairperson on such date and at such place, as may deem appropriate. The boar may meet at least once in three months and will be presided over by the chairperson, on in his absence, senior most member in age will preside over the meeting.
Six members will constitute the quorum for a meeting of the board, but non-official member will not be represented by any other member: Provided that at least half of the members from both non-official as well as official are present in the meeting.
A Search and Nomination Council will be notified by the provincial government for the recommendations of persons suitable to be appointed as non-official members of the board including chairperson and will consist of Minister for Health (Chairman), Additional Chief Secretary P&D (Vice Chairman) while members will include Secretary Health, Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University, philanthropist, a retired senior person from medical profession and a representative of the civil society to be nominated by the provincial government.
Subject to the provisions of the Act and rules, the Board of Governors will exercise such powers and perform such functions, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
The board will implement the policies relating to the public private partnership related initiatives under overall policies of government; supervise and co-ordinate the implementation of the Act, rules and regulations; promote, facilitate, co-ordinate and oversee public private partnership initiatives; assist the public and private parties in solving major problems arising in the public private partnership initiatives; enhance private sector participation in provision of health services and operationally public private partnership and innovative modalities in areas defined by the government; develop Standard of Operating Procedures, operating guidelines, procedures and model documents for projects for approval by the board; undertake technical and financial appraisal and assess its readiness for implementation; undertake assessment of implementing agencies including private sector and NGOs in terms and capacity fiduciary capabilities and procurement abilities; undertake contract management including monitoring and supervision; evaluate and prioritise project proposals submitted priority being given to diagnostic and clinical facilities, primary and secondary health sectors, facilities of mother and child healthcare, medical, para-medical and nursing education and perform such other functions as may be assigned to it by the government.
The board may delegate any of its powers and functions to any employee of the foundation.
The board will appoint a Managing Director having at least fifteen years management experience in public health or medical profession with gradually increasing abilities of enhanced management: Provided that till the appointment of a Managing Director, government may make an interim arrangement and post a suitable officer for a period of six months, as the Managing Director.
The board of the health foundation may constitute such financial, technical, advisory or any other committees as may be deemed necessary for carrying out the functions of the foundation or the board under this Act.
The board may employ officers, advisors, consultants and other employees in service of foundation, as may be necessary for the efficient administration of foundation, in such manners and on such terms and conditions, as may be prescribed.
The foundation will also have a fund to be known as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Foundation Fund, which will consist of endowments, grants/contributions, donations, trusts, bequest by: federal, provincial government, international and local donor agencies; and others while the fund established under KP Health Foundation Act, 1995, will also be part and parcel of the newly established fund.
The KP Health Foundation Fund will be maintained in the scheduled bank and will be operated in accordance with the direction of the board, while funds of the foundation will be kept in a separate bank account specifically opened for the purpose.
The board may invest money not required for immediate expenditure in government saving scheme or in fixed deposit with banks approved by government. The bank account will be operated jointly by the Managing Director and Deputy Director Finance of the foundation.
The Managing Director will prepare Annual Account Statement of the fund within 30 days of the closing of the respective financial year. A copy of the annual statement, duly approved by the board, will be sent to Secretary Finance through Secretary Health. The accounts of the fund will be audited by the Auditor General of Pakistan.