Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has admitted that Pakistan’s healthcare system is weak and ailing, with hospitals lacking proper facilities.
Addressing the 8th Pharma Summit in Islamabad, Mustafa Kamal said that Pakistan faces numerous health challenges and there is a dire need for small hospitals and dispensaries.
He stated that the country lacks several vaccines and emphasized that the pharmaceutical industry needs to work on this.
The federal minister said the pharma industry is the backbone of the national economy and public health, adding that the government’s priority is to provide citizens with affordable and quality medicines.
He further said that the regulatory system is being made more transparent and effective, with focus on increasing investment in drug research and manufacturing. He added that public-private partnerships in the pharma industry will be promoted.
Mustafa Kamal stressed that providing healthcare to remote areas through telemedicine is the need of the hour, while efforts are also underway to bring modern facilities to hospitals.
He said that collective efforts are required to improve the health sector, with a five-year target to be achieved. He expressed hope that a target of $30 million will be achieved within one year.
The federal health minister also noted that hospitals are under immense patient burden, and healthcare should be improved to reduce the number of patients in Pakistan.
