A high level delegation led by British Secretary of State for International Development Penny Mordant visited the National Institute of Health and held and met the Federal Health Minister Aamir Mehmood Kiani at the institute. British High Commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew and head of U.K. Department for International Development Joana Reid were also present on the occasion. Speaking to the high level delegation the Minister expressed satisfaction over Pak U.K collaboration in the health sector. He expressed his desire to work closely with his British counterpart in further strengthening the existing partnership. Executive Director National Institute of Health Brig. Dr. Aamir Ikram gave a detailed briefing on the occasion. He said Pakistan is committed to implement International Health Regulations, to strengthen its capacity to prevent, detect and respond to health emergencies and disease outbreaks, He said. The Joint External Evaluation (JEE) in 2016, provided an opportunity to move forward in this direction. Two of the five key recommendations were to strengthen real-time Disease Surveillance and Response mechanisms and to work on Anti-microbial resistance in Pakistan, he said NIH has been designated as National focal point for IHR and Global Health Security Agenda mandated capacities. Ministry requested Public Health England to support Pakistan in establishing a real time Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System based on One Health Approach. With technical support of PHE and in close coordination with all stakeholders, Phase 1 of IDSR document has been finalized and will be piloted in identified districts nationwide as well as ICT. In addition to focusing on the public sector under Phase I, small group meetings have also engaged private sector labs and parastatal organizations including the Army.
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