Karachi: Minister for National Health Services Abdul Qadir Patel expressed government’s commitment to improve health facilities in country. Addressing World Health Assembly in Geneva, according to reports reaching here Minister said Pakistan has now moved towards implementation of its essential package of health services during this year, with enhanced investments by government.

He said government has decided to increase number of community-based lady health workers from 89,000 to 135,000 within five years. Qadir Patel said Pakistan considers implementation of international health regulations as priority agenda as it has faced number of health emergencies, including Covid 19 endemic, polio, floods, earthquakes and heat waves.

Health Minister attended side line meeting organised by new established Pandemic Fund at Geneva Pandemic Fund Board that will be reset in May 2023 for which Pakistan was approached by Fund’s Secretariat to either relinquish or retain Co-investor seat.

Meeting was informed that after deliberations at Finance Division and Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Pakistan formally opted to retain seat.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been requested to start canvassing with respective foreign relations ministries of regional countries. Pakistan has organised formal regional consultation on May 23, 2023 in order to put forward its candidature for its constituency and to elicit support of countries in EMRO region.

Abdul Qadir Patel said that WHO being our core health partner has also come forward to support Pakistan in providing technical guidance and input for developing Pakistan’s proposal for first Call of Proposal (fCFP) and also coordinating at regional level with other countries and respective WHO country offices to support Pakistan’s decision to retain sovereign co-investor seat.

He said that Pakistan will promote and protect interest of constituent countries individually and collectively in region. “Taking this opportunity, I would like pandemic fund to advocate by aiding Pakistan’s stance to muster support to retain our candidature as sovereign co-investor in governing board of Pandemic Fund”, Minister said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 25 2023

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