ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan on Monday said they were determined to eradicate polio from the country and would work towards achieving it on an emergency basis.

The minister said this during his meeting with Brazilian Ambassador to Pakistan Olyntho Vieira. Health Secretary Iftikhar Ali Shallwani was also present on the occasion, says a press release.

The minister said they were ensuring all measures were taken to strengthen the global health security system. “Effective measures are being taken to ensure universal health coverage and an integrated strategy has been formulated to protect against epidemics,” he said.

The minister said health facilities in hospitals were being developed on modern lines while border health services were being strengthened to deal with epidemics.

“We are ensuring compliance with the recommendations of the international health regulations,” Dr Jan said.

He further said Pakistan and Brazil had deep and strong relations and their trade ties and cooperation were commendable. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Vieira welcomed the appointment of Dr Nadeem Jan, saying it was a positive development that a world-renowned public health expert had been made the health minister.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2023