ISLAMABAD: Regional Director of the World Health Orgnisation (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region Dr Hanan Balkhy on Wednesday told Federal Minister for Health Dr Mustafa Kamal that the world health body will provide technical support to Pakistan in establishing a Global Health Academy in Jeddah.

In a telephonic conversation with the Dr Hanan Balkhy, the minister invited the WHO regional director to visit Pakistan. The visit will focus on addressing Pakistan’s key health challenges and strategies to achieve public health targets.

“Health challenges transcend borders,” stated Dr Mustafa Kamal. “Pakistan is committed to strengthening global health security and, in collaboration with WHO, aims to establish a Global Health Academy in Jeddah,” the minister said.

Highlighting Pakistan’s health challenges, the minister emphasised that the country faced a rising burden of diseases. However, he reiterated the government’s firm commitment to making Pakistan disease-free.

“We are utilising all our resources and capabilities to tackle health issues effectively,” he stated.

Mustafa Kamal also underscored the significant challenge posed by hepatitis, revealing that Pakistan currently has over 10 million hepatitis cases. To address this, the government has launched the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Elimination Programme nationwide. A pilot project in two districts of Gilgit-Baltistan has already been successfully completed.

Regarding polio eradication, the Health Minister affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eliminating the disease. “An extensive polio eradication campaign will be launched in April to curb the spread of the virus,” he announced.

Dr. Balkhy commended the efforts of the Prime Minister and Pakistan’s health authorities in polio eradication and assured continued WHO support in fighting polio and other infectious diseases in the country.

Govt commits to curb TB

Meanwhile, Special Secretary Health Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Mashud claimed that the government was committed to curbing tuberculosis (TB).

In an event organised at WHO office, he informed that the 1,900 diagnostic facilities were providing free treatment.

“Our National Strategic Plan is focused on overcoming remaining challenges and turning commitments into action. Partnerships and collaboration are essential for a TB-free Pakistan. With collective action, Yes, We can end TB,” he said.

Pakistan has increased TB notifications and treatment coverage, reaching more than 490,000 people in 2024 (70pc of the affected population), compared to 331800 people covered in 2015 (57pc of the affected population).

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2025