Latest news with #MustafaKamal
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Call to expedite work on Polyclinic Hospital
Federal Minister for Health, Mustafa Kamal, visited the under-construction extension of the Polyclinic Hospital in sector G-11/3, Islamabad to direct officials concerned to accelerate progress on key public health infrastructure projects. Federal Health Secretary, Syed Waqarul Hassan, director general of health, executive director of the Polyclinic Hospital, and the joint secretary health accompanied the federal minister. The project director of the Punjab Infrastructure Development Authority provided a detailed briefing on the project's current status and scope. The Polyclinic expansion project, with an estimated cost of Rs16 billion, is designed to add 400 beds to the facility. Highlighting the strategic importance of the initiative, the federal minister emphasised that this is a critical public health project that must be expedited.
Arab News
12-06-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan chosen for WHO program offering free cancer drugs for children
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been selected to join a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital that will provide free, essential cancer medicines for children starting this year, the country's health ministry said on Thursday. The program, known as the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, aims to improve survival rates among children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries by ensuring reliable and equitable access to life-saving drugs. 'It is a matter of pride that Pakistan has been selected for this program in 2025,' Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said in the statement. 'This is a major milestone in ensuring free cancer medicines for children next year.' Each year, more than 8,000 children in Pakistan are diagnosed with cancer, he continued. However, many are unable to receive timely or effective treatment due to limited drug availability, high costs and weak health care infrastructure. The health minister noted that a large number of children die as a result of these gaps. Kamal emphasized that Pakistan would fully utilize the support provided through the platform, calling it a unique opportunity to address local health challenges using global resources. 'Through this program, Pakistan can access international support to overcome domestic challenges in delivering timely and effective treatment,' he said. The global platform, launched in 2022, is backed by a $200 million commitment from St. Jude and operates in coordination with WHO. It supports countries in developing sustainable supply chains, treatment protocols and health care capacity to address childhood cancers. Pakistan is among a growing list of countries to be included as the platform scales up its outreach.
Express Tribune
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
City needs Rs100b development grant
The economic powerhouse of the country needs a Rs100 development grant in the new budget, Mayor Murtaza Wahab said Tuesday. He urged MQM-Pakistan and representatives from various parties to play their role in ensuring Karachi gets its fair share in parliament. City Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that all elected representatives remained present on the ground during Eidul Azha. He applauded the sanitary staff and everyone involved in remarkable work in extreme heat over all three days. A total of 146,801 tons of offal and garbage was transported to the three landfill sites - Jam Chakro, Gond Pass, and Sharafi Goth GTS. He was speaking at a presser at the KMC head office where he was flanked by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, MD Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Tariq Nizamani, Deputy Parliamentary Leader of the City Council Dil Muhammad, and others. He shared that 96 collection points were set up across all 25 towns and 7 districts of the city. Citizens were provided with a 24-hour helpline (1128), through which 3,699 complaints were received, out of which 97.4% were addressed. He stressed that he personally toured the city to monitor the situation and take action regardless of any criticism, stating that there is no other example in the world of such a large amount of waste being removed in just three days. With the budget approaching, he reiterated that Karachi deserves its due share, and while everyone talks about empowering local governments, actual support for Karachi is needed. He urged MQM-Pakistan and representatives from various parties to play their role in ensuring Karachi gets its fair share in parliament. He demanded that the upcoming budget allocate Rs100billion as a development grant for Karachi, the commercial and financial hub of the country. The mayor said he has no objection if the federal and provincial governments appoint representatives to monitor the process. He invited Jamaat-e-Islami's Karachi chapter Ameer Munim Zafar and Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal to sit together and work for the city instead of indulging in criticism. "Work is happening in Karachi, but we are too busy pulling each other down. Please stop portraying the city in a negative light; this will not serve Karachi," he urged. Mayor Wahab said that politics of discord must end if meaningful progress is to be achieved. "This time, there was no stench - only prejudice," he said. "Previously, there was China-cutting, now there is road cutting." He said that Karachi's water sources lay over 125 kilometres away, and all he seeks is the rightful share for Karachiites. "We have passed the ball into the federal government's court," he said, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take action. "If he does, we will hold a joint press conference." He expressed hope that Mustafa Kamal would present Karachi's case in the cabinet meeting and have it approved, and that the PPP would also support the issue in the National Assembly. He mentioned that action was taken against the "tallow mafia" in coordination with the Karachi Police Chief, leading to 144 FIRs and the arrest of 348 individuals. "Karachi is a vast city. When something bad happens, the mayor is blamed; when something good happens, others take credit." Many people jump into the unregulated business of making tallow from the fat of sacrificial animals. If prepared under hygienic conditions, beef tallow can be used in cooking. However, scrupulous elements make edible oil from animal fat in extremely unhygienic conditions posing health risks for the consumers. Mayor Wahab stated that tenders have been floated for drain cleaning in all seven districts, and that funding for the work comes from the provincial government. Small-scale winching operations are needed, and the Cantonment Board used GTS facilities for their work.
Business Recorder
06-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Safer, smarter healthcare services: Federal, Punjab Health ministries to launch joint initiatives
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Health Ministry and the Punjab Health department have decided to join hands for stronger, safer, and smarter healthcare services. The major development for national health collaboration came here on Thursday during a high-level meeting between Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal and Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir. The meeting focused on strengthening coordination between the federal and provincial governments to address critical healthcare challenges and launch joint initiatives across key health areas. The meeting decided taking joint action against counterfeit medicines, coordinated efforts on polio eradication and dengue prevention and advancement of digital health systems and regulatory reform. The meeting was also attended by Special Secretary Health Syed Waqarul Hassan, Additional Secretary Health, Chief Information Officer of DRAP, Director General Health, and the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC),Dr Rizwan Taj. Kamal reiterated the federal government's resolve to address healthcare issues with urgency. He stated that under the direction of the prime minister, particular focus is being placed on eliminating polio and ensuring timely implementation of health programmes. 'The fight against polio continues with full zeal, until the virus is eliminated, our children remain at risk,' he emphasised. He shared plans for a new national strategy for polio eradication and urged parents to disregard negative propaganda and ensure their children are vaccinated. 'In Palestine, even during war, mothers call for vaccinators with whistles. Pakistani mothers must also play their part in protecting their children,' he said. Kamal highlighted steps being taken by DRAP to combat counterfeit medicines, including the rollout of a modern barcode system. This will enable every medicine to carry a unique code that patients can scan to verify authenticity and price. Additionally, export certifications such as GMP, CoPP, and NOCs are now being processed online via the Pakistan Single Window, and all regulatory submissions are handled through the new 'e-App' online platform. Provincial Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir reaffirmed Punjab's full support for the federal government's health agenda. 'Punjab has greater capacity and resources, and we are ready to share these to benefit all provinces. The health of our people must come before all else,' he stated. He also praised DRAP's initiatives under the leadership of Minister Kamal, particularly, those targeting counterfeit pharmaceuticals. The two ministers agreed on the importance of coordinated measures to prevent dengue outbreaks in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and committed to united efforts in disease prevention, vaccination campaigns, and health system strengthening. They stressed that collaboration between federal and provincial levels is crucial to achieving meaningful progress in the health sector. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Public healthcare facilities: Minister announces plans to initiate PPP model
ISLAMABAD: Amid growing number of patients and poor conditions of government hospitals in the federal capital, Federal Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal announced plans to initiate a public-private partnership model to address the growing pressure on public healthcare facilities. The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination was held under the chairmanship of Amir Waliuddin Chishti, here on Tuesday. The meeting discussed complaint against on duty medical officer (CMO) of Federal Government Services Hospital, Islamabad. Senator Syed Masroor Ahmed expressed serious concern about the dire condition of the Polyclinic hospital and emphasised the need for immediate attention and improvement. He shared his personal observations during a visit, where he witnessed the substandard conditions and expressed concern over the inadequate state of healthcare services. Furthering to this, he pointed out that patients are advised to obtain prescribed medications from outside pharmacies. Kamal, informed the committee that the city is served by two major hospitals and 30 Basic Health Units (BHUs). However, he informed that these facilities are experiencing significant strain, with nearly 70 percent of the population relying on them for medical care. He also noted that many individuals, even those suffering from common ailments such as headaches, are visiting these hospitals despite being able to afford private healthcare, further exacerbating the burden on public health institutions. He also revealed that patients from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa come to Islamabad for treatment in these hospitals. The hospitals which can accommodate approximately 3,000 patients are now serving up to 30,000 patients. Which cause immense pressure on their resources and services. Kamal also informed the committee that they have identified a viable solution to address the growing pressure on public healthcare facilities. He announced plans to initiate a public-private partnership model with the involvement of the private sector on a non-profit basis. He added that work on this initiative is expected to commence within the next 15 to 20 days. The minister further briefed the committee that a Jinnah Medical Complex is being established in Islamabad, which will also be one of the largest medical research centres in the region. The chairman committee inquired about the underutilised hospital buildings constructed during the Covid-19 pandemic with a 266-bed capacity. He questioned why such existing infrastructure was not being utilised effectively. The minister stated that steps are being taken to bring those buildings into operational use. He also shared that several extensions of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) are currently under development across different areas of Islamabad, many of which are nearing completion. The chairman recommended the establishment of an additional hospital in Islamabad, noting that despite the city's population having grown to approximately 2.6 to 2.7 million; it continues to be served by only two major public hospitals. He emphasised the urgent need to expand the healthcare infrastructure in line with the city's increasing population demands. The committee raised concerns regarding alleged corruption and mismanagement in the Pakistan Nursing Council. During a discussion, the Federal Minister for Health, strongly criticised the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), describing it as a 'mafia-like' entity. He stated that while he holds certain verbal authority over the institution, he lacks the formal, written powers required to implement substantial reforms. He added that the institution has been severely mismanaged and has suffered extensive damage due to internal dysfunction. The chairman committee and members extended their full support to the minister, encouraging him to bring forward any proposed legislative amendments necessary to reform the PNC. They assured him of their cooperation in ensuring accountability and institutional improvement. The members, unanimously, agreed that they stand ready to assist in any efforts aimed at restoring transparency and efficiency within the Council. Additionally, the minister suggested an in-camera meeting to present a detailed way forward, outlining actionable steps to transform and improve the functioning of the PNC. The committee was briefed on plan by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) concerning misleading formula milk advertisement that DRAP Act, 2012 and Alternative Medicines and Health Products (Enlistment) Rules, 2014 defines 'baby milk and food' as Health and OTC Products (non-drugs). Furthermore, they told that the matter of dual regulatory framework for the regulation of baby milk and food was agitated at the forum of SIFC and BOI since February 2024 as same can also be regulated by provincial food departments as per their legislation. After several meetings at SIFC and BOI, it was decided to exclude the regulation of the baby milk and food from the domain DRAP and it will be exclusively regulated by provincial food departments and baby milk and foods for special medical needs and treatments will be regulated by DRAP only. Resultantly, amendments in The Alternative Medicines and Health Products (Enlistment) Rules, 2024, have been vetted by the Law and Justice Division and summary is being submitted to CCLC for approval of Federal Cabinet. Following this, after a comprehensive briefing, the committee decided to discuss this in forthcoming in-camera meeting. During the committee meeting, it was noted that the vice chancellor of the Health Services Academy had been officially summoned. However, he failed to appear before the committee and taking serious notice of his absence, the chairman committee recommended that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee to determine the reason for his non-compliance. The federal minister for health also expressed concern over the vice chancellor's absence, stating that he should have been present at the meeting and no one in the committee was informed of the reason behind the vice chancellor's absence. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
