In a proactive move to strengthen national health preparedness, the Ministry of National Health Services has established a National Health Emergency Center at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad. The center will function around the clock and coordinate with provincial authorities and relevant institutions to respond swiftly to any health emergencies.
The decision was made during an emergency high-level meeting chaired by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, bringing together senior stakeholders including the Director General Health, the CEO of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), federal hospital heads, and health representatives from Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The primary agenda was to assess national preparedness in light of emerging geopolitical risks and to develop a strategic response framework.
“We must remain fully prepared for all possible scenarios. The Ministry of Health and its subordinate institutions will stay on high alert,” said Minister Kamal.
Key Directives from the Meeting:
- Ensure uninterrupted supply of vaccines and life-saving medicines.
- Identify alternative sources for drugs currently imported from India.
- Direct NIH to accelerate local vaccine production.
- Instruct federal hospitals to maintain full operational capacity.
- Urge provinces to increase hospital bed capacity and ensure stockpiling of blood and essential medicines.
- Assign Polyclinic Hospital to prepare for burn victim care.
- Reaffirm priority medical support for armed forces.
Minister Kamal stressed the importance of real-time information sharing, noting that it is vital during times of crisis to ensure effective national response and coordination.
