On the second day of the conference, Honourable Health Minister for National Health Services Regulations and Coordination, Mr. Syed Mustafa Kamal, delivered a compelling address, emphasizing the critical public health challenges facing Pakistan.
Minister Kamal appreciated the National Institute of Health's efforts in successfully conducting this vital conference. He also stated that "this conference is a landmark initiative to advance Pakistan’s capacity in outbreak preparedness and diarrheal disease control." He added, "We are confident that this event will lead to impactful and sustainable solutions."
He further elaborated on the severity of the issue, noting, "68% of diseases in Pakistan are caused by consuming contaminated water. Providing clean water alone could prevent 68% of these illnesses." The Minister expressed concern over the lack of effective infrastructure, lamenting, "There is no effective sewerage treatment plan in the country." He vividly described the grim reality: "From the peaks of Gilgit to the shores of Karachi, sewage is mixing with drinking water."Minister Kamal also highlighted other alarming health statistics: "Pakistan has become a leading country in patients suffering from Hepatitis C and diabetes." He added, "40% of Pakistani children are malnourished, leading to stunted growth." Drawing attention to a persistent global health challenge, he stated, "Polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan." He also pointed out, "26 million children are out of school."
Reflecting on the overwhelming strain on healthcare facilities, Minister Kamal remarked, "If you visit PIMS or any other hospital, it feels like a public gathering just ended. PIMS Hospital was originally built for a limited number of people, but today, millions are seeking treatment there. Minister Kamal underscored the universal health adage: "It is said worldwide that prevention is better than cure." He stressed the unsustainability of the current situation, asserting, "It is impossible to meet the demand for healthcare with these indicators. Reducing population growth must be made a part of national policy."
Addressing crucial advancements in healthcare data management, Minister Kamal revealed, "Pakistan currently lacks a universal medical record for patients. Without a national medical record, it's impossible to track a patient's history." He then announced a significant step forward: "We are launching a universal medical record system where the National Identity Card (NIC) number will serve as the medical record number."
Finally, Minister Kamal spoke about innovative solutions to alleviate pressure on the healthcare system: "Introducing telemedicine will reduce pressure on hospitals," and confirmed that "Primary healthcare centers are being strengthened."
earlier in the conference, Dr. Muhammad Salman, Chief Executive Officer of NIH, emphasized that this gathering would directly contribute to public health strengthening in Pakistan. This was to be achieved by informing policy updates on cholera outbreak response and AMR control, enhancing national capacity in disease surveillance and pathogen genomics, and supporting the operationalization of WHO frameworks like "Ending Cholera: A Global Roadmap to 2030."
Dr. Massab Umair, Principal Scientific Officer and HOD Virology at NIH, highlighted the conference's profound impact. "This conference served as an invaluable platform for experts from diverse fields to converge, share critical insights, and collectively strategize," Dr. Umair stated. He added, "The actionable recommendations developed here, especially concerning advanced surveillance techniques and integrated response mechanisms, will significantly strengthen our ability to predict, prevent, and respond to diarrheal disease outbreaks across the country."
Throughout the two-day conference, participants actively assessed the current burden and epidemiology of diarrheal diseases. They reviewed progress and identified gaps in disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and response capacity. A significant focus was placed on examining AMR trends in diarrheal pathogens and exploring mitigation strategies. The discussions aimed to translate surveillance findings on cholera, rotavirus, and AMR into actionable public health strategies. Furthermore, the event fostered multi-sectoral collaboration across various essential sectors, with participants working to develop actionable recommendations for strengthening Pakistan’s health preparedness framework.
Sessions were organized around five key themes: Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation; Laboratory Systems and Pathogen Genomics; Public Health Nutrition and Food Safety; Advocacy, Policy, and Community Engagement; and Vaccines and Drug Research.
The conference convened a diverse group of stakeholders, including public health officials, epidemiologists, clinical and laboratory experts, researchers, WASH and nutrition specialists, development partners (including the World Health Organization (WHO), UK Health Security Agency, DAI-Fleming Fund, and Jhpiego), NGOs, and policymakers, all contributing to a robust dialogue for Pakistan's health future.
