ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar stressed need to explore mechanisms for global funding that could support nations in need, ensuring that no one was left behind, in global pursuit of health security.

“Call for sufficiently funded, widely supported country medium-term roadmap as highlighted in International Health Regulations Core Capacities evaluation, resonates globally. We must invest in open, transparent and multi-sectoral processes to strengthen buy-in and commitment at all levels,” he said while addressing inaugural session of first ever two-day Global Health Security Summit 2024.

Highlighting importance of enhancing coordination in health sector beyond borders, Kakar said, ‘One Health’ approach, recognised interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. “Our commitment should extend to establishing global frameworks that facilitate information sharing, joint research and collaborative strategies for an effective response during emergencies.”

He stressed need for strong, visible, active surveillance and tiered public health laboratory system that was integral to early detection, response and mitigation.

PM Kakar called for collaboratively working towards establishing international standards for food safety, harmonising regulations to ensure highest level of protection for populations worldwide.

He said internal challenges posed by population growth, rapid urbanisation and climate change could not be dealt with by country alone.

“New diseases, like Covid-19 and climate induced incidents such as historic floods of 2022 in Pakistan are disrupting our citizens’ health and causing social and economic impacts.

He called for establishing shared vision of world where health security was not privilege but universal right and where strength of nation’s health systems was measured not only by its capacity to respond to crises but also by its ability to prevent, detect and mitigate health threats.

He said cost of climate injustice in Pakistan was 33 million affected population, 17,000 deaths and economic loss of more than 30 billion dollar.

He appreciated Minister for National Health Services Dr. Nadeem Jan and Ministry for tireless efforts to organise event.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said summit was timely initiative which would help ensuring safer and healthier world for future generations.

He said Pakistan continued to collaborate with World Health Organisation and other international entities in shaping the global health policies.

Interim Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan said summit aimed at collaborating with global leaders to ensure equity-based pandemic preparedness financing for low and middle-income countries and mutual exchange of knowledge and rich experience with member states and experts around summit thematic areas which focuses on vaccine equity, patent deregulation and transfer of technology.

Ambassador of United States to Pakistan Donald Bloom said US was helping developing nations to improve their health systems and enable them effectively responding to future outbreaks.

Deputy Health Minister of Saudi Arabia, Dr Hani Jokhdar said his country believed in importance of global health security. Besides he also acknowledged significance of pandemic fund.

Afghanistan Minister for Public Health Dr Qalandar Ebad said developing nations needed international cooperation in health sector as they were not able to tackle infectious diseases such as malaria, TB, and HIV Aids alone.

Heads of delegations from Turkiye, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan also spoke.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 11 2024

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