Latest news with #MustafaKamal
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Public healthcare facilities: Minister announces plans to initiate PPP model
ISLAMABAD: Amid growing number of patients and poor conditions of government hospitals in the federal capital, Federal Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal announced plans to initiate a public-private partnership model to address the growing pressure on public healthcare facilities. The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination was held under the chairmanship of Amir Waliuddin Chishti, here on Tuesday. The meeting discussed complaint against on duty medical officer (CMO) of Federal Government Services Hospital, Islamabad. Senator Syed Masroor Ahmed expressed serious concern about the dire condition of the Polyclinic hospital and emphasised the need for immediate attention and improvement. He shared his personal observations during a visit, where he witnessed the substandard conditions and expressed concern over the inadequate state of healthcare services. Furthering to this, he pointed out that patients are advised to obtain prescribed medications from outside pharmacies. Kamal, informed the committee that the city is served by two major hospitals and 30 Basic Health Units (BHUs). However, he informed that these facilities are experiencing significant strain, with nearly 70 percent of the population relying on them for medical care. He also noted that many individuals, even those suffering from common ailments such as headaches, are visiting these hospitals despite being able to afford private healthcare, further exacerbating the burden on public health institutions. He also revealed that patients from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa come to Islamabad for treatment in these hospitals. The hospitals which can accommodate approximately 3,000 patients are now serving up to 30,000 patients. Which cause immense pressure on their resources and services. Kamal also informed the committee that they have identified a viable solution to address the growing pressure on public healthcare facilities. He announced plans to initiate a public-private partnership model with the involvement of the private sector on a non-profit basis. He added that work on this initiative is expected to commence within the next 15 to 20 days. The minister further briefed the committee that a Jinnah Medical Complex is being established in Islamabad, which will also be one of the largest medical research centres in the region. The chairman committee inquired about the underutilised hospital buildings constructed during the Covid-19 pandemic with a 266-bed capacity. He questioned why such existing infrastructure was not being utilised effectively. The minister stated that steps are being taken to bring those buildings into operational use. He also shared that several extensions of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) are currently under development across different areas of Islamabad, many of which are nearing completion. The chairman recommended the establishment of an additional hospital in Islamabad, noting that despite the city's population having grown to approximately 2.6 to 2.7 million; it continues to be served by only two major public hospitals. He emphasised the urgent need to expand the healthcare infrastructure in line with the city's increasing population demands. The committee raised concerns regarding alleged corruption and mismanagement in the Pakistan Nursing Council. During a discussion, the Federal Minister for Health, strongly criticised the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), describing it as a 'mafia-like' entity. He stated that while he holds certain verbal authority over the institution, he lacks the formal, written powers required to implement substantial reforms. He added that the institution has been severely mismanaged and has suffered extensive damage due to internal dysfunction. The chairman committee and members extended their full support to the minister, encouraging him to bring forward any proposed legislative amendments necessary to reform the PNC. They assured him of their cooperation in ensuring accountability and institutional improvement. The members, unanimously, agreed that they stand ready to assist in any efforts aimed at restoring transparency and efficiency within the Council. Additionally, the minister suggested an in-camera meeting to present a detailed way forward, outlining actionable steps to transform and improve the functioning of the PNC. The committee was briefed on plan by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) concerning misleading formula milk advertisement that DRAP Act, 2012 and Alternative Medicines and Health Products (Enlistment) Rules, 2014 defines 'baby milk and food' as Health and OTC Products (non-drugs). Furthermore, they told that the matter of dual regulatory framework for the regulation of baby milk and food was agitated at the forum of SIFC and BOI since February 2024 as same can also be regulated by provincial food departments as per their legislation. After several meetings at SIFC and BOI, it was decided to exclude the regulation of the baby milk and food from the domain DRAP and it will be exclusively regulated by provincial food departments and baby milk and foods for special medical needs and treatments will be regulated by DRAP only. Resultantly, amendments in The Alternative Medicines and Health Products (Enlistment) Rules, 2024, have been vetted by the Law and Justice Division and summary is being submitted to CCLC for approval of Federal Cabinet. Following this, after a comprehensive briefing, the committee decided to discuss this in forthcoming in-camera meeting. During the committee meeting, it was noted that the vice chancellor of the Health Services Academy had been officially summoned. However, he failed to appear before the committee and taking serious notice of his absence, the chairman committee recommended that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee to determine the reason for his non-compliance. The federal minister for health also expressed concern over the vice chancellor's absence, stating that he should have been present at the meeting and no one in the committee was informed of the reason behind the vice chancellor's absence. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
26-05-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan kicks off nationwide polio drive, aims to vaccinate 45 million children
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday kicked off a third nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign of this year that aims to inoculate more than 45 million children under the age of five. Polio is a paralyzing disease with no cure. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, along with the completion of the routine immunization schedule for all children are essential to ensure strong immunity against the disease. Pakistan has confirmed 10 cases so far this year, according to the polio program. Environmental surveillance has detected the virus in 272 sewage samples from 127 testing sites, across 68 districts, signaling continued circulation. Inaugurating the campaign at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) in Islamabad, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said community engagement was inevitable in eliminating the virus from Pakistan, urging parents to immunize all children under the age of five years. 'Protect your children from permanent disability by vaccinating them,' Kamal said, describing frontline anti-polio workers as the 'real heroes.' 'Full-fledged community engagement is essential for the eradication of polio.' Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic. Pakistan's polio program on Sunday described the weeklong campaign as a critical intervention in the country's 'final push' to interrupt poliovirus transmission and achieve eradication by end of 2025. Around 400,000 frontline workers, including 225,000 women vaccinators, are taking part in the current campaign and will go door-to-door to inoculate children. Pakistan's polio program began in 1994, but efforts to eradicate the virus have been repeatedly undermined by vaccine misinformation and resistance from some religious hard-liners who claim that immunization is a foreign plot to sterilize Muslim children or a cover for Western espionage. Militant groups have also frequently targeted polio vaccination teams and the security personnel assigned to protect them, often resulting in deadly attacks.
Arab News
26-05-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Minister says community engagement essential as Pakistan kicks off nationwide drive against polio
ISLAMABAD: Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Monday said community engagement was inevitable in eliminating the polio virus from Pakistan, urging parents to immunize all children under the age of five years. The statement came as Pakistan kicked off a third nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign of this year that aims to inoculate over 45 million children, according to the country's polio program. Polio is a paralyzing disease with no cure. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, along with the completion of the routine immunization schedule for all children are essential to ensure strong immunity against the disease. Pakistan has confirmed 10 cases so far this year, according to the polio program. Environmental surveillance has detected the virus in 272 sewage samples from 127 testing sites, across 68 districts, signaling continued circulation. 'Protect your children from permanent disability by vaccinating them,' Kamal urged parents, adding: 'Full-fledged community engagement is essential for the eradication of polio.' The minister called frontline anti-polio workers the 'real heroes' as he administered vaccines to children National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) in Islamabad. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic. Pakistan's polio program on Sunday described the weeklong campaign as a critical intervention in the country's 'final push' to interrupt poliovirus transmission and achieve eradication by end of 2025. Around 400,000 frontline workers, including 225,000 women vaccinators, are taking part in the current campaign and will go door-to-door to inoculate children. Pakistan's polio program began in 1994, but efforts to eradicate the virus have been repeatedly undermined by vaccine misinformation and resistance from some religious hard-liners who claim that immunization is a foreign plot to sterilize Muslim children or a cover for Western espionage. Militant groups have also frequently targeted polio vaccination teams and the security personnel assigned to protect them, often resulting in deadly attacks. The polio program has urged public to cooperate with vaccination teams and report any missed children via the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline 1166 or the WhatsApp Helpline at 0346-7776546.
Business Recorder
21-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Kamal meets KSA health minister
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health of Pakistan, Mustafa Kamal, held a meeting with the Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Fahd Abdul Rahman Al-Jalajel. The Saudi health minister warmly welcomed his Pakistani counterpart, reflecting the deep-rooted brotherly relations between the two countries. During the meeting, the two leaders engaged in detailed discussions on a wide range of issues, including the promotion of technical cooperation in the health sector. Federal Minister Kamal acknowledged and appreciated the continued support and contributions of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan's health sector. Both sides agreed to explore opportunities for collaboration in vaccine production and the promotion of telemedicine. They also expressed their commitment to maintaining close communication for the welfare and well-being of the people of both countries. Furthermore, the ministers expressed great satisfaction on the ongoing mutual cooperation for polio eradication and pledged to work together for broader improvements in the health sector. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Pak, China reaffirm pledge to boost health ties
Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their longstanding commitment to enhancing cooperation in the health sector, as the 77th World Health Assembly continues in Geneva. Federal Minister for Health, Mustafa Kamal on Monday met with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the global health summit, signaling a renewed push in health diplomacy. In a significant bilateral meeting, the two leaders discussed avenues of mutual interest and pledged to deepen collaboration in areas such as vaccine production, traditional medicine, and the integration of advanced medical technologies.
