**Pakistan Urges Global Health Partnerships, Showcases Sector Reforms at Beijing Forum**
Pakistan’s Federal Health Minister, Syed Mustafa Kamal, has called for increased global collaboration and investment in Pakistan’s health sector, highlighting both significant challenges and emerging opportunities during his address at the Global Health Forum in Beijing. Speaking to an international audience, the Minister stressed the country’s commitment to reform and innovation, inviting stakeholders—especially in China and the Asia-Pacific region—to become partners in Pakistan’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
In his address, Minister Kamal outlined the country’s pressing public health challenges, underscoring that with a population exceeding 250 million and growing by over six million each year, Pakistan faces formidable healthcare demands. “These challenges,” he asserted, “also present immense opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and investment.” He identified critical areas for global engagement, including the need for skilled trainers, the adoption of advanced technologies, and the integration of traditional medicines into mainstream healthcare.
Highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to creating an investor-friendly environment, Kamal pointed to recent regulatory reforms designed to streamline health sector investments. He noted that the newly inaugurated digital regulatory system for medical devices now reduces approval timelines dramatically—from over a year to just 20 days—a move expected to facilitate faster access to cutting-edge healthcare solutions and bolster foreign investment.
The Minister also addressed deep-rooted structural issues in the health sector. He revealed that waterborne diseases, largely caused by untreated sewage contaminating drinking water, account for approximately 68% of health challenges in Pakistan. Additionally, he expressed concern over the country’s population growth rate, which stands at 3.6%—the highest in the region—and emphasized the urgency of addressing these dual threats to public health.
Advocating for a fundamental shift in Pakistan’s approach to healthcare, Minister Kamal outlined the government’s strategy to transition from a reactive “sick care” model toward a proactive, technology-driven health system. He emphasized the integration of telemedicine and artificial intelligence to expand the reach of primary healthcare, particularly to underserved communities, and stressed that building healthcare capacity must go beyond investing in physical infrastructure.
Affirming the government’s resolve, Kamal referenced the recent establishment of a high-level national commission tasked with advancing population and health reforms. He assured delegates of Pakistan’s strong political will, stating, “We are confronting our challenges head-on with eyes wide open. The goal is to make healthcare not a luxury, but a right for every Pakistani—and to contribute solutions globally.”
In closing, Minister Kamal thanked the organizers and the Beijing Municipal Government for hosting the event, emphasizing Pakistan’s readiness for partnership. “I am not here to paint a rosy picture, but to share the real story of Pakistan—one of challenges, but also of resilience and readiness for collaboration,” he said.
