Federal Minister for National Health Services, Syed Mustafa Kamal, has launched a comprehensive strategy to strengthen child health and immunization across Pakistan. He emphasizes preventive care, greater access to essential health services, and expanded use of telemedicine to reach underserved communities.

At recent policy reviews, Kamal stressed that vaccination coverage must rise to safeguard children against preventable diseases. A new national immunization campaign is being designed to protect children from 12 life-threatening illnesses and ensure accurate coordination among federal and provincial Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) teams.

The minister underscored that Pakistan currently vaccinates approximately seven million children annually through routine services, while polio drives reach over 45 million children each year. He reminded stakeholders that Pakistan remains among the few countries where the poliovirus still exists, and that elimination requires full cooperation from religious, media, and civil society leaders.

Kamal also declared a shift toward health sovereignty, calling for a ramp-up in local vaccine and pharmaceutical production. He referenced recent geopolitical supply challenges, indicating that Pakistan must reduce reliance on imports and build robust domestic manufacturing capacities.

To modernize service delivery, Kamal supports integrating telemedicine into the national system, allowing consultations and medication access directly at patients’ homes. He noted that more than 70% of the population lacks basic health units (BHUs), forcing reliance on tertiary care, a gap telemedicine can help bridge.

Reducing maternal and neonatal mortality is another priority. Kamal committed to streamlined emergency care and facility reforms, citing nearly 10,000 maternal deaths annually and high rates of stunting in children under five. The government plans to use technology and preventive health reforms to improve these indicators.

He also initiated reforms at DRAP to align regulatory standards with global best practices and support telemedicine expansion. Kamal highlighted efforts to convert national ID numbers into Medical Record Numbers for better patient data management, and stressed the need to outsource qualified talent, including through improved nurse training, to support healthcare infrastructure.

By combining preventive health campaigns, enhanced vaccination coverage, telemedicine expansion, and domestic pharmaceutical production, Mustafa Kamal aims to create a healthier Pakistan for future generations.