ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said despite limited resources, Pakistan was able to position itself as hub for medical treatment and services in region. He said Pakistan handled Covid-19 in far better way than its neighbouring countries including India. “Pakistan had low resources, but due to hard work by professional medical teams, it managed endemic in better way and earned international prestige,” Bilawal said while addressing Convocation ceremony of Fazaia Medical College here yesterday.

He asked all medical professionals and institutions in country to keep upgrading their skills in medical field. Bilawal said Ministry of foreign affairs was ready to play its due role in facilitating international partnership in healthcare cooperation.

He said export of high-end surgical and medical equipment and products of other avenues would enable Pakistan to qualify in league of high-technology exporters and to this end. He urged country’s industry and academia to proactively strengthen their linkages. Bilawal Bhutto informed that despite low resources, Sindh government in particular had managed to build state-of-the-art international standard health institutes in province that were providing free medical facilities to general public.In Gambat area of Khairpur district, he said provincial government had established internationally recognised hospital where patients from across country were availing free liver, kidney, bone marrow and lung transplant facilities. Further, FM said National Institute for Cardio-vascular diseases in Karachi was also providing treatment of heart-related diseases free of charge. He said in every district of Sindh, satellite healthcare centres had also been established to provide emergency treatment to heart patients and children. Minister said after Covid endemic, government had also established first-ever infectious disease hospital in Karachi where free treatment is being provided. Congratulating successful graduates, he asked them to support government in their efforts to develop high-value services for people.

With respect to achievements of Pakistan on international front, minister said “We have worked day and night towards betterment of our relations with all international partners.” He said Pakistan’s foreign policy was guided by national interest, pragmatism and constructive engagements. “It is matter of great satisfaction that despite enormous challenges faced by Pakistan on national, international and economic fronts, we have been able to advance foreign policy interests of  Pakistan.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 26 2023

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