A high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Health, Syed Mustafa Kamal at the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination. The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary for Health, Additional Secretary, CEO Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, CEO National Institute of Health, along with senior officials of the Ministry.
The meeting reviewed the progress on decisions and initiatives taken in the context of recent engagements and meetings held at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. The Minister emphasized the importance of timely and effective implementation of global commitments and partnerships made at the international level.
During the meeting, detailed review was conducted on the progress of vaccine manufacturing at the local level in Pakistan. The Minister directed that all necessary steps be ensured to finalize the agreement with Indonesia in the field of vaccine production.
He stated that Indonesia is Pakistan’s leading partner in vaccine manufacturing cooperation, and stressed the need to further strengthen this partnership.
The Federal Minister instructed DRAP and the National Institute of Health to accelerate all regulatory and technical processes required for local vaccine production to ensure self-reliance in the health sector.
It was highlighted that local production of vaccines for thirteen major diseases has now become an unavoidable necessity.
The meeting also discussed future funding for vaccine programmes under the Gavi framework.
Progress on the National Health Support Programme was also reviewed. The Minister described it as the flagship initiative of the government, aimed at ensuring improved and quality healthcare services for the public across the country.
