Latest news with #SyedMustafaKamal
Arab News
18-07-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan seeks deeper UK health ties, targets reform in disease control, maternal care
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal this week reaffirmed the government's commitment to reform the health sector, eyeing greater collaboration with the United Kingdom (UK) in line with Islamabad's health priorities, state media reported. The UK remains a key funder of global development efforts in Pakistan. According to the UK government's website, it is supporting control and eradication of communicable diseases in Pakistan through its contributions in Global Health Initiatives, including Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), Global Alliance for Vaccination (GAVI) and Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). A delegation led by Acting British High Commissioner Jo Moir met Kamal on Thursday to discuss Pakistan's health challenges, including a high burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. 'A delegation from the British High Commission on Thursday met with Federal Minister for Health, Syed Mustafa Kamal to explore avenues for aligning the United Kingdom's support portfolio with Pakistan's national health priorities,' state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. 'The minister reaffirmed the government's strong commitment to reforming the health sector and welcomed continued collaboration in critical areas such as maternal and child health, immunization, and health systems strengthening,' the report added. Kamal stressed the importance of shifting Pakistan's focus from preventive and promotive health care by strengthening primary health care systems to reduce the strain on tertiary care facilities, APP said. He called for the urgent need to address waterborne diseases in Pakistan, saying they account for 68 percent of all illnesses in the country. The minister called for tackling the crisis by ensuring the provision of safe drinking water and improved sewage systems across Pakistan. Kamal raised concerns about Pakistan's high fertility rate, describing it as a 'national issue requiring immediate attention.' 'He encouraged efforts to balance population growth through collaboration with stakeholders, including religious scholars and development partners,' the report added. Moir appreciated Kamal's efforts and shared details of the UK's ongoing support for Pakistan in the health and population sectors, the state-run media said. She also highlighted plans to design a media campaign based on research findings, focusing on health and population awareness, APP said.
Express Tribune
18-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, UK discuss health collaboration
A delegation from the British High Commission on Thursday met with Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal and discussed aligning the UK's support portfolio with Pakistan's health priorities. During the meeting with the delegation led by Acting British High Commissioner and Development Director Ms Jo Moir, the minister highlighted Pakistan's challenges, including a high burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Key reforms discussed included revisiting the NFC Award, suggesting that the current 80% weightage assigned to population be reduced to 50%.
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Kamal for improving ‘whole system'
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that Pakistan's healthcare system is riddled with fundamental flaws, and the solution lies not just in building hospitals but in improving the entire environment. Addressing at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), he said that Pakistan's population growth is outpacing its resources. 'The annual population growth rate has reached a staggering 3.6%, compared to the national resource capacity.' He highlighted the dire conditions of healthcare facilities, citing the example of PIMS Hospital, where one doctor is expected to see 40 patients but currently attends to over 250. 'Around 68% of diseases in Pakistan are caused by contaminated water, and we still lack a proper sewage treatment system.' Kamal pointed out that Pakistan ranks among the highest globally in diabetes and hepatitis C cases, and while polio has been eradicated globally, it still persists in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Emphasizing the role of technology, the health minister announced that reforms in the health sector would be introduced through a public-philanthropic partnership model. He said that collaboration with NADRA is under way to convert national identity card numbers into Medical Record Numbers (MRN), with legislation for this initiative expected soon. He said we have only 170,000 nurses, but we need at least 900,000. Globally, there is demand for 2.5 million Pakistani nurses, potentially turning this sector into a multi-billion-dollar foreign exchange earner for Pakistan. Kamal underscored the need to strengthen the country's primary healthcare infrastructure, pointing out that nearly 70% of patients in major hospitals suffer from minor illnesses that should be treated at primary healthcare centers. He stressed the strategic importance of Karachi, saying, 'If this city were in someone else's hands, its condition would have transformed by now. Though we lack authority, we are serving Karachi with full dedication.' Earlier, KATI President Junaid Naqi lamented that industrial workers and their families face difficulties in accessing basic healthcare services. 'It is extremely unfortunate that a city contributing so much to Pakistan's economy faces such a severe shortage of hospitals and primary care facilities.' Calling for immediate action, Naqi demanded that the federal government allocate special funds for healthcare in Karachi, especially in the Korangi Industrial Area. 'Healthy citizens form the foundation of a strong economy.' Deputy Patron-in-Chief of KATI, Zubair Chhaya, also expressed deep concern over the federal government's continuous neglect of Karachi. 'Road networks are being built across the country, but Karachi remains overlooked.' This city has consistently been the backbone of Pakistan's economy, and it deserves immediate attention regarding both healthcare and economic development.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Minister pledges to achieve polio-free future of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that polio eradication is the top priority of the government and federal health ministry along with provincial health departments are fully committed to achieving a polio-free future for children of the country. He made these remarks while virtually attending the joint session of the Gavi Board and the Polio Oversight Board (POB), where he represented the government of Pakistan and shared key updates on national progress in the fight against polio. He highlighted that the prime minister of Pakistan is personally overseeing the polio eradication efforts and chairs monthly stocktake meetings to review progress. Sharing the latest progress, the minister stated, 'Pakistan has witnessed over a 99 percent decline in polio cases a testament to our coordinated strategy, dedication of frontline workers, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders.' He emphasised the implementation of a joint strategy to reach zero-dose children, with mobile biker teams mobilized to access nomadic and hard-to-reach populations. Underscoring the importance of global partnerships, the minister added, 'Strengthening the integrated immunization system requires continued support from both Gavi and the Polio Oversight Board. We need additional investments to ensure the training and retention of vaccinators.' He noted that enhanced synergy between the polio and EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization) initiatives is improving immunisation coverage, while coordinated microplanning and effective monitoring are delivering tangible results in the field. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Minister pledges to achieve polio-free future of country
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that polio eradication is the top priority of the government and federal health ministry along with provincial health departments are fully committed to achieving a polio-free future for children of the country. He made these remarks while virtually attending the joint session of the Gavi Board and the Polio Oversight Board (POB), where he represented the government of Pakistan and shared key updates on national progress in the fight against polio. He highlighted that the prime minister of Pakistan is personally overseeing the polio eradication efforts and chairs monthly stocktake meetings to review progress. Sharing the latest progress, the minister stated, 'Pakistan has witnessed over a 99 percent decline in polio cases a testament to our coordinated strategy, dedication of frontline workers, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders.' He emphasised the implementation of a joint strategy to reach zero-dose children, with mobile biker teams mobilized to access nomadic and hard-to-reach populations. Underscoring the importance of global partnerships, the minister added, 'Strengthening the integrated immunization system requires continued support from both Gavi and the Polio Oversight Board. We need additional investments to ensure the training and retention of vaccinators.' He noted that enhanced synergy between the polio and EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization) initiatives is improving immunisation coverage, while coordinated microplanning and effective monitoring are delivering tangible results in the field. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
