Federal Minister for Health, Mustafa Kamal, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health, stressing that prevention must take precedence over treatment.
Speaking at a seminar held at PIMS Hospital on “From Trauma to Recovery: Improving the Standards of Burn Care”, the Minister highlighted that burn patients in Pakistan face an alarmingly high mortality rate due to lack of timely and adequate treatment. “We must act urgently to reduce these preventable deaths,” he emphasized.
Minister Kamal underscored the importance of preventive healthcare, stating, “Prevention is better than cure. We must focus on precautions and disease prevention rather than only treatment. In Pakistan, around 68% of diseases are water-borne, and the onset of disease begins right from the birth of a child.”
He further pointed out that the country’s health system is largely a “sick-care system”, which waits for people to fall ill rather than proactively protecting them from disease. “Our responsibility is to shield people from illness before it strikes. We must transform this into a true healthcare system,” he remarked.
Addressing cervical cancer prevention, the Health Minister announced that Pakistan has become the 151st country in the world to introduce HPV vaccination. “Countries such as Canada, the United States, and Saudi Arabia have already included this vaccine in their immunization programs. In many places, HPV vaccination is a prerequisite for entry into secondary school. In Pakistan, nearly 5,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year — a burden we can and must reduce.”
Minister Kamal stressed that vaccination is one of the most effective tools in reducing the disease burden: “If we want to prevent illnesses, vaccination is essential. By prioritizing immunization, preventive measures, and health awareness, we can significantly ease the pressure on our healthcare system.”
