The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MNHSR&C), in collaboration with the Health Services Academy (HSA), convened a high-level Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting on the National Genomic Policy of Pakistan, bringing together leading national and international experts in genomics, genetics, molecular biology, public health, and health policy from Pakistan and abroad. Distinguished experts from Aga Khan University, Quaid-i-Azam University, CEMB Lahore, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, participated in the consultation and unanimously described the proposed policy as a landmark initiative for Pakistan’s healthcare future.
Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, emphasized that Pakistan must transition from a disease-treatment model to a prevention-focused healthcare system. He highlighted the role of genomics, early screening, and precision medicine in reducing the burden of inherited and preventable diseases and strengthening national health security.
Presenting the national fact sheet, Prof. Dr. Tariq Mahmood Ali, Registrar, Health Services Academy, highlighted that Pakistan faces a significant yet largely unrecognized burden of genomic diseases. He noted that 60–70% of marriages in Pakistan are consanguineous, increasing the risk of recessive genetic disorders by up to 18 times. Pakistan has more than 10 million thalassemia carriers, with 7,000–10,000 new cases reported annually and an estimated 50,000–100,000 patients currently living with the disease. He further explained that genomic and inherited diseases are costing the country an estimated PKR 200–300 billion annually, with projections reaching PKR 1 trillion per year by 2050 if no action is taken.
Prof. Dr. Shahid Mahmood Baig, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences, HSA, presented the draft National Genomic Policy and outlined a roadmap for establishing a National Public Health Genomics Program, genomic surveillance systems, workforce development, local diagnostic capacity, and preventive screening programs. He emphasized that genomics is a high-return public health investment, with evidence showing that preventive screening can yield a 10–50 times return on investment, while thalassemia prevention programs can reduce affected births by 60–90 percent.
The meeting was attended by professors, genomic scientists, geneticists, molecular biologists, public health experts, researchers, and policymakers from leading national and international institutions. Participants included experts from Aga Khan University (AKU), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Government College University (GCU), University of the Punjab, Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), University of Swat, University of Balochistan, and other prominent academic and research organizations."
Participants applauded the Ministry of Health for taking leadership in developing Pakistan’s first National Genomic Policy and agreed that its implementation would reduce disease burden, save billions in healthcare costs, strengthen national health security, and position Pakistan among countries adopting modern precision healthcare. The consultation concluded with comprehensive recommendations to advance genomic governance, research, screening, and equitable access to genomic services nationwide.
