Addressing a ceremony, Mustafa Kamal stated that the Sultana Foundation has been rendering valuable services in the fields of education and health for a long time, which is highly commendable. He emphasized that nursing plays a vital role in the healthcare sector, as doctors interact with patients for a limited period, whereas nurses and paramedical staff remain engaged in-patient care for nearly 23 hours a day.
He urged healthcare staff to treat patients with compassion and kindness, highlighting that hospitals are places where people turn in times of severe pain and distress. He remarked that serving suffering humanity is among the noblest acts, and the reward for good deeds continues even after death.
Mustafa Kamal stressed that collective efforts are required to bring meaningful improvements in the health sector, adding that alongside the government, the private sector is also playing an important role in healthcare delivery. He explained that healthcare is not only about treating illness but also about preventing people from falling sick.
Drawing attention to public health challenges, he noted that the country lacks a comprehensive sewage treatment system and cited experts who state that nearly 70 percent of diseases spread through contaminated water. He said that providing clean drinking water could reduce diseases by up to 70 percent.
He further highlighted that uncontrolled population growth is a major hurdle to national development and stressed the need to manage population growth in accordance with available resources. He shared that approximately 6.1 million children are born in the country every year.
Emphasizing preventive healthcare, Mustafa Kamal urged parents to ensure vaccination of their children against thirteen diseases, stating that the government is providing free vaccines to protect children. He said that misconceptions and concerns related to vaccination must be addressed through awareness and education.
Referring to polio eradication, he stated that Pakistan is among the two countries in the world where polio has not yet been eliminated. He emphasized the need to educate and convince people to ensure their children are vaccinated and protected against polio.
He concluded by saying that improving the health sector is a shared responsibility of both the government and the public, and that concerted efforts are essential to safeguard communities from preventable diseases.
