A high level meeting chaired by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal was held in Islamabad, during which progress on decisions and actions taken in the context of recent meetings at the World Health Assembly in Geneva was reviewed. Progress regarding the local production of vaccines was also discussed.
Syed Mustafa Kamal directed that commitments and partnerships made at the international level should be implemented in a timely and effective manner. He instructed DRAP and NIH to accelerate all necessary measures for the local production of vaccines. He stated that local manufacturing of vaccines against thirteen dangerous diseases has now become essential.
He further directed that all necessary steps be ensured to finalize the vaccine manufacturing agreement with Indonesia. He said that Indonesia is Pakistan’s leading partner in local vaccine production.
The meeting also reviewed future funding for vaccine programs under Gavi. Regarding the National Health Support Program, the Health Minister said that it is the government’s flagship program and that it will help ensure the provision of better healthcare facilities to the public.
