ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will share its initiatives, challenges and future action plans at a conference of the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s regional committee for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) in in Cairo on Monday (today).

Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan will represent Pakistan at the highest regional health forum involving 22 nations. The EMRO, spanning from Pakistan in South Asia to Mauritania in North Africa, is the focal point of discussion.

“The election of the regional director for WHO EMRO is also on the conference agenda and Pakistan will cast its vote. Dr Jan will also participate in the election of the regional director for the EMRO region. In addition, Pakistan will present its annual performance report to the health ministers of the EMRO region during the conference,” said a statement issued by the health ministry.

Discussions will encompass topics such as universal health coverage, health emergencies and associated challenges. The minister will provide insights into reforms aimed at addressing challenges in the healthcare sector.

Discussions to encompass topics such as universal health coverage, health emergencies and associated challenges, says minister

Speaking at Islamabad International Airport, Dr Jan mentioned that meetings with health ministers from friendly countries had been scheduled and they planned to enhance cooperation in the field of technology transfer for vaccine production in Pakistan.

“Robust advocacy for Pakistan’s hosting of the first Global Health Security Summit in Islamabad in December this year will be part of the busy schedule,” he said.

Spokesperson for health ministry Sajid Shah, while talking to Dawn, said theGlobal Health Security Agenda (GHSA) was an effort towards the existence of strong and resilient public health systems that could prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease threats wherever they occur in the world.

“In order to work towards common objective, more than 70 countries, including Pakistan, international organisations, NGOs and private sector companies have signed the GHSA framework to achieve the vision of a world safe and secure from global health threats posed by infectious diseases,” he said.

“Pakistan is the current chair of GHSA and has made a strong commitment to GHSA initiative since its initial launch in 2015 and continues to support its strategic priorities in its renewal through 2029. Around 300 delegates, including health minsters, heads of international organisations and top technical experts from across the globe alongside national and provincial policymakers have been invited to attend the smmit in Islamabad,” Mr Shah said.

“This event will serve as a great opportunity for international and national experts and policy makers in the field of health security to learn by sharing of expertise and knowledge for a safer world,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2023