KARACHI, Apr 20 , Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said that
Afghanistan is surpassing Pakistan in efforts to eradicate polio,
warning that it might achieve this goal first.
Speaking at the 6th International Medical Research Conference organized
by the Health Research Advisory Board at the Gates Pharma Auditorium in
Karachi, Kamal expressed his hope that both countries could eliminate
polio simultaneously.
Despite significant health research in Pakistan, Kamal noted a lack of
implementation. He emphasized that technology, particularly mobile
phones, could address healthcare challenges. The minister highlighted
deficiencies in primary and secondary healthcare, with tertiary care
hospitals handling 70% of patient loads due to these gaps.
The conference was attended by officials from the Drug Regulatory
Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the National Institute of Health in
Islamabad, and representatives from public and private hospitals and
universities.
Kamal announced that each citizen’s national identity card number will
soon serve as their medical record number to improve healthcare
management. He pledged to ensure the implementation of research and
reports from the Health Research Advisory Board.
It is important to mention here that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was
informed that as a result of the dedicated nationwide anti-polio
campaigns, not a single case of polio had been reported in the country
since February 10, 2025.
The prime minister commended the efforts of relevant government
institutions, international organizations, and partners to make Pakistan
polio-free.
He directed the relevant authorities to ensure awareness and community
mobilization regarding the anti-polio campaign across the country.
“It must be ensured that every child under five years of age is
administered the polio vaccine during the anti-polio campaign starting
from April 21,” he added.