Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has highlighted serious challenges facing Pakistan’s healthcare system and called for urgent steps to improve health services across the country. Speaking at a ceremony in Karachi, he said nearly 300 children die every day because of inadequate healthcare facilities.
Kamal stressed that Pakistan needs major improvements in its health sector to protect children and provide better care to families. He emphasized the need to update the nursing curriculum so healthcare workers can receive modern and practical training. He also called for greater focus on preventing diseases instead of only treating patients after they become sick.
The minister said public awareness is also important for improving health outcomes. Better information can help people understand the importance of healthcare, disease prevention, vaccinations, and healthy practices.
Kamal also spoke about Pakistan’s population growth, which he said has reached 2.55%. According to him, the fast increase in population is creating additional pressure on public services, including education. Millions of children still do not have proper access to education, making population planning and investment in basic services increasingly important.
The minister also raised concerns about the rising cost of vaccination programmes. He said vaccination expenses could increase to $1.2 billion by 2030. At the same time, misinformation and resistance among some sections of the public continue to create difficulties for immunization campaigns.
He stressed the need for stronger awareness efforts to build public trust in vaccines and healthcare programmes.
The remarks highlight the need for Pakistan to improve healthcare facilities, strengthen preventive care, train medical staff, and increase public awareness. Addressing these issues could help protect children, improve health outcomes, and create a stronger healthcare system for the future.
