ISLAMABAD: The first ever global health security summit (GHSS) held in Pakistan early this year has started bearing fruit as US President Joe Biden in his letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif put the health security on top of priorities to get US support.

This was stated by former caretaker health minister Dr Nadeem Jan, who organised the GHSS in Islamabad in January this year. The summit was attended by delegates from 70 countries. Before the summit, Dr Jan had stated that it would be a game changer for the health sector of Pakistan and the entire globe.

Talking to Dawn on Monday, Dr Jan said he was clear in his plea that the summit would be a climate COP-like event which would push the world for equitable pandemic preparedness and response.

“In my concluding speech, I had mentioned that we had set the stage for taking global health security to its due space in global development agenda. I am quite happy that President Biden has put the issue on top of the priorities,” he said.

Says first ever health security summit organised in Pakistan early this year has started bearing fruit

President Biden, in a letter written to Prime Minister Sharif last week assured him that the US will continue standing with Pakistan to tackle the most pressing global and regional challenges.

“That includes advancing our shared vision for a future of greater health security, economic growth and access to education for all. Through our U.S.-Pakistan ‘Green Alliance’ framework, we will also continue to strengthen our climate resilience, support sustainable agriculture and water management and assist with Pakistan’s recovery from the devastating floods in 2022. And, the United States remains committed to working with Pakistan to protect human rights and promote progress,” the president stated.

Replying to a question, Dr Jan said the prophecy was being witnessed unfolding to reality as a momentum for equitable pandemic response has been geared up and several health think-tanks have started serious efforts towards that aim.

“It is the first time that a head of state is mentioning global health security as priority area for cooperation. Moreover, the US government has also planned for a big grant to Pakistan in the area of health security and process has been initiated into that effect,” he said.

Replying to a question, the former health minister said some other countries like UK, China and EU also had current or future programmes to support Pakistan’s global health security agenda.

“The onerous is in the new government how it capitalises on this and takes the maximum out of this for Pakistan’s health sector. The GHS momentum, an amalgam of 70 countries, can be utilised by Pakistan for other health and climate gains and can be used to advocate for our climate justice narrative,” he said.

“It’s imperative that the new government steer the GHS leadership and formalise the ‘Islamabad Pandemic Accord’ with member states reached at the summit. Sustaining this high level global policy space requires enlightened leadership and serious commitment from political and military leadership,” he said.

The two-day summit organised under the theme “Together for a healthy planet” aimed to foster international cooperation, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships to enhance global health security.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2024