Latest news with #SyedMustafaKamal
Business Recorder
21 hours ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
Minister pledges to achieve polio-free future of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that polio eradication is the top priority of the government and federal health ministry along with provincial health departments are fully committed to achieving a polio-free future for children of the country. He made these remarks while virtually attending the joint session of the Gavi Board and the Polio Oversight Board (POB), where he represented the government of Pakistan and shared key updates on national progress in the fight against polio. He highlighted that the prime minister of Pakistan is personally overseeing the polio eradication efforts and chairs monthly stocktake meetings to review progress. Sharing the latest progress, the minister stated, 'Pakistan has witnessed over a 99 percent decline in polio cases a testament to our coordinated strategy, dedication of frontline workers, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders.' He emphasised the implementation of a joint strategy to reach zero-dose children, with mobile biker teams mobilized to access nomadic and hard-to-reach populations. Underscoring the importance of global partnerships, the minister added, 'Strengthening the integrated immunization system requires continued support from both Gavi and the Polio Oversight Board. We need additional investments to ensure the training and retention of vaccinators.' He noted that enhanced synergy between the polio and EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization) initiatives is improving immunisation coverage, while coordinated microplanning and effective monitoring are delivering tangible results in the field. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
Minister pledges to achieve polio-free future of country
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that polio eradication is the top priority of the government and federal health ministry along with provincial health departments are fully committed to achieving a polio-free future for children of the country. He made these remarks while virtually attending the joint session of the Gavi Board and the Polio Oversight Board (POB), where he represented the government of Pakistan and shared key updates on national progress in the fight against polio. He highlighted that the prime minister of Pakistan is personally overseeing the polio eradication efforts and chairs monthly stocktake meetings to review progress. Sharing the latest progress, the minister stated, 'Pakistan has witnessed over a 99 percent decline in polio cases a testament to our coordinated strategy, dedication of frontline workers, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders.' He emphasised the implementation of a joint strategy to reach zero-dose children, with mobile biker teams mobilized to access nomadic and hard-to-reach populations. Underscoring the importance of global partnerships, the minister added, 'Strengthening the integrated immunization system requires continued support from both Gavi and the Polio Oversight Board. We need additional investments to ensure the training and retention of vaccinators.' He noted that enhanced synergy between the polio and EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization) initiatives is improving immunisation coverage, while coordinated microplanning and effective monitoring are delivering tangible results in the field. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
a day ago
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan reports 99% drop in polio cases, urges more investment at Gavi board meeting
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded a 99% decline in polio cases, Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal told the Gavi board meeting on Thursday, calling for more investments to "train and retain" vaccinators. The global vaccine organization Gavi helps low-income countries buy vaccines to protect against killer diseases. Around one billion children have been immunized as a result of Gavi's work across the world since 2000. Polio is a paralyzing disease with no cure, making prevention through vaccination critical. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, along with the completion of the routine immunization schedule for all children, are essential to build strong immunity against the virus. According to Pakistan's polio program, 10 cases have been confirmed so far this year, with 74 reported in 2024. Environmental surveillance carried out earlier this year has detected the virus in 272 sewage samples collected from 127 testing sites across 68 districts, indicating ongoing transmission. "Pakistan has witnessed over a 99% decline in polio cases — a testament to our coordinated strategy, dedication of frontline workers and the collective efforts of all stakeholders," the health ministry quoted Kamal as saying following a virtual joint session of Gavi and Pakistan's Polio Oversight Board. However, the statement did not specify the starting point for this decline. "Strengthening the integrated immunization system requires continued support from both Gavi and the Polio Oversight Board,' he added. 'We need additional investments to ensure the training and retention of vaccinators." He called for implementing a joint strategy to reach zero-dose children and mobilizing biker teams to access far-flung areas. The health minister said "coordinated microplanning and effective monitoring" between polio and the Expanded Program on Immunization was improving immunization coverage and delivering results. Kamal said polio eradication remained the government's top priority, highlighting how Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally oversees the eradication efforts. Pakistan, one of the last two countries where polio remains endemic, has made significant progress in curbing the virus, with annual cases dropping from around 20,000 in the early 1990s to just eight in 2018. The country reported six cases in 2023 and only one in 2021. Pakistan launched its polio eradication program in 1994, but efforts have repeatedly been hindered by widespread vaccine misinformation and resistance from hardline religious groups who claim immunization campaigns are a Western conspiracy to sterilize Muslim children or a front for espionage. Militant groups have also targeted polio workers and their security escorts, often with deadly attacks that have hampered vaccination drives, particularly in the country's remote and conflict-prone regions. Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where the poliovirus remains endemic.
Business Recorder
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Local pharma industry: Govt urged to create conducive environment
ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has urged the government to create conducive environment for the local pharma industry so that it can enhance exports, create more jobs, and better serve the country. The pharma industry presented their demands to the Federal Minister for National Health Services and Regulations, Syed Mustafa Kamal, during a meeting here on Wednesday. Both the sides deliberated on key matters related to the pharmaceutical sector, including amendments in drug rules, indigenous production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and the expansion of export opportunities particularly in the context of bilateral collaboration with Afghanistan. During the meeting, the minister emphasised the government's commitment to fostering the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and reiterated the strategic importance of domestic API production. 'We must work jointly to ensure local production of APIs, not only to reduce reliance on imports and save valuable foreign exchange reserves, but also to unlock the export potential of our pharmaceutical products,' the minister stated. To advance this vision, the federal minister directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to develop a comprehensive concept note on the establishment of a Naphtha Cracker facility. This initiative aims to promote self-sufficiency in the production of essential raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, the minister reaffirmed the government's resolve to eradicate the menace of counterfeit medicines from the market. 'We are introducing a modern trace and track system whereby a unique bar code will be printed on every medicine. This system will allow patients to verify the authenticity and retail price of any medicine using their mobile phones,' the minister added. The PPMA chairman highlighted that Pakistan's pharmaceutical exports currently stood over $450 million, but with government backing, this figure could cross $2 billion dollars within next two years. The minister acknowledged the immense potential for pharmaceutical exports, particularly in markets across South-West Asia and Central Asia. He encouraged the PPMA to submit a comprehensive proposal to enhance exports, assuring them that the ministry would provide the necessary support. The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to strengthen public-private partnerships, streamline regulatory frameworks, and jointly pursue strategic initiatives to enhance pharmaceutical manufacturing, ensure medicine quality, and promote exports. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Qatar Tribune
04-06-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
Pakistan Healthcare Solutions Conference in Doha fosters bilateral collaboration
Tribune News Network Doha The Embassy of Pakistan in Qatar, in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) ITQAN Clinical Simulation and Innovation Centre, successfully hosted the Pakistan Healthcare Solutions Conference on June 2, at the ITQAN Clinical Simulation and Innovation Centre in Doha. The event, organised with the Atlantic International Business Network (AIBN) as the executive partner, aimed to advance a shared vision for healthcare innovation and strengthen Pakistan-Qatar collaboration. The conference was honoured by the presence of Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination of Pakistan, Syed Mustafa Kamal, as the chief guest from Pakistan, and Assistant Minister for Health Affairs, Ministry of Public Health, Qatar, HE Dr. Salih Al Marri, as the chief guest from Qatar. Ali Al Janahi, HMC acting assistant managing director, Dr. Abdulla Ali Al-Ansari, medical advisor to the managing director of HMC, also attended, highlighting the high-level commitment to bilateral healthcare ties. The event brought together key stakeholders from the medical, pharmaceutical, telehealth, academic, and regulatory sectors of both nations. It provided a platform for government officials, healthcare leaders, innovators, and investors to explore opportunities for cross-border partnerships and advancements in healthcare development. The program commenced with inaugural addresses by Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Javaid I. Sheikh, M.D., M.B.A., and the Executive Director of the ITQAN Clinical Simulation and Innovation Centre, Dr. Abdulla Ahmad. Their remarks underscored the transformative potential of collaborative efforts in strengthening healthcare systems between Pakistan and Qatar. Keynote presentations were delivered by Lt. Gen. Arshad Naseem HI (M), surgeon general of Pakistan, and Prof. Dr. Ambreen Afzal Ehsan, vice president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. These sessions highlighted Pakistan's advancements in healthcare and set the stage for discussions on bilateral cooperation. Two high-level panel discussions enriched the conference. The first, on Pakistan-Qatar R&D Collaboration, moderated by Rahid Mazhar, featured experts including Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yar, Dr. Ali Raza, Dr. Rayaz Malik, and Dr. Yousuf Al Maslamani. The second, on Emerging Smart Healthcare and Innovation Opportunities, moderated by Dr. Hasham Khan, included Dr. Fatih Mehmet Gul, Dr. Rola Hammoud, Dr. Zahid Ali, Dr. Javaid Sheikh, and Muhammad Irfan, focusing on innovative healthcare technologies. Additional presentations were delivered by Dr. Obaidullah Malik, CEO of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP); Amr Metwally, assistant executive director at ITQAN; Ikram Ul Haq, president of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce; Muhammad Irfan, CEO of Xeven Solutions; and Tanvir Khan, representing Labware Arabia. These talks showcased innovations in regulatory frameworks, medical technology, and industry partnerships. An exhibition featured stalls from leading companies such as Allison, Labware, and others, displaying advancements in medical devices, laboratory technologies, and AI-powered solutions. This interactive platform facilitated knowledge exchange and explored potential avenues for future collaboration. The conference concluded with remarks by Hafiz Muhammad Talha, CEO of AIBN and managing director of Metas Qatar, followed by a closing address by Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar HE Muhammad Aamer. The ambassador reaffirmed the Embassy's commitment to fostering enduring healthcare partnerships between Pakistan and Qatar.
