Kakar seeks fund to tackle threats to global health security

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday stressed the need to explore mechanisms for global funding that could support nations in need, ensuring that no one is left behind in the global pursuit for health security.

“The call for a sufficiently funded, widely supported country medium-term roadmap, as highlighted in the International Health Regulations Core Capacities evaluation, resonates globally. We must invest in open, transparent, and multi-sectoral processes to strengthen buy-in and commitment at all levels,” the interim prime minister said while addressing the inaugural session of the first ever two-day Global Health Security Summit 2024.

Highlighting the importance of enhancing coordination in health sector beyond the borders, Kakar said a “One Health” approach recognised the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. “Our commitment should extend to establishing global frameworks that facilitate information sharing, joint research and collaborative strategies for an effective response during emergencies.”

He stressed the need for a strong, visible, active surveillance and tiered public health laboratory system that was integral to early detection, response and mitigation. He also called for collaboratively working towards establishing international standards for food safety, harmonising regulations to ensure the highest level of protection for populations worldwide.

Highlighting the need for collective response to address external and internal health challenges, he said no state in the world could meet the health challenges all alone. Likewise, the internal challenges posed by population growth, rapid urbanisation and climate change could not be dealt with by a country alone.

As regards the challenge of climate change, the prime minister said the global Climate Risk Index identifies Pakistan as the eighth most vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change. He said the cost of climate injustice in Pakistan was 33 million affected population, 17,000 deaths and economic loss of more than $30 billion.

Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan said the summit was aimed at collaborating with global leaders to ensure equity-based pandemic preparedness, financing for low- and middle-income countries, and mutual exchange of knowledge and rich experience with member states and experts around summit thematic areas which focuses on vaccine equity, patent deregulation and transfer of technology.

Dr Jan said that it was our responsibility to improve health system, adding that Pakistan’s relation to the global health security was not mere symbolic but it was integral to the framework of 70 countries and international organisations. He said that Pakistan was advocating for strengthening technical sections in the health sector.

Ambassador of the United States to Pakistan Donald Blome said the US was helping the developing nations to improve their health systems and enable them effectively responding to the future outbreaks.