Latest news with #MustafaKamal
Arab News
2 days ago
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan, WHO sign agreement to provide free cancer medication for children
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has signed an agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide free cancer medication to thousands of children annually in the South Asian country, Pakistani state media reported on Tuesday. The agreement marks Pakistan's inclusion in the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (GCCM), a WHO-led initiative to expand access to life-saving cancer treatments for children in low- and middle-income countries. Pakistan Health Minister Mustafa Kamal announced that under this agreement, Pakistan will receive essential cancer medicines every year, benefitting approximately 8,000 children who are diagnosed with cancer annually in the country. 'The goal is simple but profound to save lives,' Kamal said. 'Currently, the survival rate for children with cancer in our region stands at just 30 percent. Through this agreement, we aim to increase that to 60 percent by ensuring timely access to quality treatment.' Around 8,000 new pediatric cases are reported each year but less than half receive timely diagnosis or treatment due to limited access to pediatric oncology centers, according to the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). The overall mortality rate for those diagnosed remains alarmingly high and survival rates hover around 10–30 percent, compared to over 80 percent in high-income countries. Kamal shared the WHO will provide technical and operational support for the initiative, while United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will take on the responsibility of procuring and supplying the medicines to Pakistan, appreciating both organizations and all partners for their support and commitment. 'Today is a big day for Pakistan. We are not just recipients; we are partners in global efforts to ensure that no child suffers or dies from a treatable disease,' he said. 'I thank WHO, UNICEF, the GCCM, and all our partner organizations. Our dream is a healthier society, and that begins with the health of our mothers and children.' On the occasion, WHO representative Dr. Dapeng Luo said no child affected by cancer should die because of lack of access to treatment, including quality-assured medicines. 'WHO will work side by side with the Ministry of Health and partners to save lives and leave no child behind, no matter where they live or who they are,' Luo said.
The Star
3 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Pakistan to access free cancer medicines for 8,000 children annually from WHO
ISLAMABAD, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan's Ministry of Health signed an agreement on Tuesday to formalize the country's participation in the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, aiming to provide quality-assured, free-of-cost medicines to children suffering from cancer. According to a statement from the WHO, the agreement would bring new hope to children battling cancer in Pakistan, with a goal to increase the survival rate from 30 percent to 60 percent by 2030. Limited access to treatment has been one of main factors behind the country's low childhood cancer survival rate, with over 8,000 new cases diagnosed annually, said the WHO. Pakistan became the second country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to join the initiative, which was implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). UNICEF is responsible for procuring and delivering the medicines to the country. "WHO will also continue to support Pakistan's Ministry of Health and provincial authorities with the necessary technical expertise and logistical resources to combat childhood cancer," the statement added. Pakistan's Health Minister Mustafa Kamal called it a landmark achievement for the country's cancer-affected children, saying "If we are able to save even one life through this collaboration, we are saving mankind."
Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Polio virus still present in environment: minister
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday acknowledged the persistent presence of the poliovirus in the country's environment and urged the public to counter misconceptions surrounding the disease and its vaccine. Responding to a call-attention notice in the Senate regarding the ongoing anti-polio campaign, the minister informed the upper house that the virus was still actively circulating in the country. "Our environment continues to host the poliovirus," Kamal said. "Unfortunately, false perceptions about polio have taken deep root in people's minds, and I don't know why." However, he clarified that he had explicitly barred authorities from arresting parents who refuse to vaccinate their children. "I have stopped the practice of using police to arrest parents for not administering polio drops," he added. The minister pointed out that despite challenges, polio vaccination was being carried out even in neighbouring Afghanistan. "Except for Kandahar, all Afghan provinces are running anti-polio drives," he said. Referring to the situation in Balochistan, Kamal said he personally visited the province to oversee efforts against polio. "This year, we have reported 14 polio cases," he said, adding that most of the cases emerged from Bannu and other inaccessible regions. "Where we have not been able to reach, cases have spiked," he said. He also pointed to a persistent negative propaganda campaign against the polio vaccine as one of the hurdles in the fight to eradicate the virus. Kamal revealed that environmental samples from districts across the country are testing positive for polio. "This confirms that the virus remains present in our environment," he said. "Only those children who receive polio drops are protected." The minister said that the government was committed to eradicating of polio and called for public support to overcome misinformation and logistical barriers.
Business Recorder
09-07-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Federal capital: Timely completion of emergency, cancer hospital project directed
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services and Regulations Mustafa Kamal Tuesday directed the officials and other concerned quarters for timely completion of under construction emergency and cancer hospital project in the federal capital as well as installation of MRI machine at Polyclinic Hospital. During his visit to the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital and the Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS), the minister directed fast-tracking of cancer hospital construction with increased workforce and double shifts. In a decisive move to enhance diagnostic capacity, Kamal instructed the immediate installation of an MRI machine at Polyclinic Hospital. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring the provision of quality healthcare services to the public at all costs, stating, "Access to timely and quality medical care is a fundamental right of every citizen." During the visit, Kamal ordered comprehensive feasibility and master plan for old Polyclinic hospital building upgradation with modern Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system integration. During the visit, the minister was accompanied by Federal Secretary of Health Syed Waqarul Hassan. The visit was aimed at reviewing healthcare facilities and service delivery at one of the capital's key public sector hospitals. The health minister conducted a thorough inspection of all hospital departments and evaluated the services being provided to the patients. He visited the medical wards, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and dialysis centre, where he received briefings on the current infrastructure and operational status. The executive director of Polyclinic provided a detailed presentation on the hospital's facilities and areas requiring immediate improvement. While acknowledging the efforts of the staff, Mustafa Kamal directed that 20 additional beds be added to the dermatology and psychiatry departments located at G-7/3-4 to cater to the growing patient load. He also ordered the development of a comprehensive feasibility plan for upgrading the old building of Polyclinic Hospital, incorporating a modern HVAC. The minister emphasised that this should be aligned with a holistic service delivery improvement plan to ensure better healthcare outcomes for the public. Later, the federal health minister visited the under-construction New Emergency Block at PIMS (Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences), where he assessed the pace of construction work. He was briefed by the executive director of PIMS and officials from Infrastructure Development Authority Punjab (IDAP). The briefing highlighted that the new emergency facility would have a capacity of 200 beds. Minister Kamal directed the PIMS administration and IDAP to immediately prepare a comprehensive project presentation, including a clear timeline and details of all challenges. 'I must be briefed on all obstacles faced by the project, along with deadlines for completion,' he said. He assured that any challenges falling under the ministry's jurisdiction would be resolved on an urgent basis, and tasks assigned to other stakeholders must be executed on a fast-track basis. He stressed that the new emergency project is directly linked to saving human lives and that swift completion and operationalisation is a national priority. He also directed that the hospital's sewage treatment system be upgraded to meet quality standards, and emphasised that the provision of clean drinking water remains a top priority of the ministry. Concluding his visit, Mustafa Kamal proceeded to inspect the under-construction Cancer Hospital in Islamabad. The project director provided a briefing on the facility, which will be a 200-bed hospital equipped with advanced healthcare technologies. It was shared that the hospital will also feature a PET Scan facility, a major advancement in cancer diagnostics and treatment. The minister called for a detailed and time-bound presentation on the project and asked to be informed of all existing challenges. To speed up construction, he instructed an increase in the number of labourers and engineers, and directed that work be carried out in double shifts to meet deadlines. 'These projects are not just infrastructure they are a promise to the people of Pakistan. We are determined to deliver on this promise with urgency, efficiency, and full transparency,' Kamal concluded. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Three-year ban on new medical colleges
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) informed the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services on Tuesday that a three-year ban has been imposed on the registration of new medical colleges because of a shortage of teaching faculty. The committee, which met here with Senator Aamir Waleeduddin in the chair, discussed the PMDC Amendment Bill moved by Senator Humayun Mohmand. The bill proposed to include parliamentarians in the PMDC board. However, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal opposed the proposal. PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj said that parliamentarians had never been part of the board, but the chair corrected him, stating that a senator and a MNA used to sit on the board. Irfan Siddiqui said that the inclusion of political people would not change the institution's structure. Mustafa Kamal told the committee that even he, as the health minister, was not part of the PMDC board. He maintained that Pakistan's medical professionals were still respected globally, and political involvement could undermine their reputation.
