UK envoy pledges continued healthcare support

Islamabad:British High Commissioner Jane Marriott on Thursday reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in achieving its healthcare goals.

During a meeting with national health services minister Mustafa Kamal here, Marriott said her country would continue collaborating with Pakistan for the advancement of healthcare services in the country. The minister thanked the British government for continued support in family planning, polio, surveillance and provision of integrated health services, especially for mother and child health, and other healthcare programmes.

He said Pakistan was committed to strengthening those programmes. The minister said the government was working to enhance healthcare services, especially in underserved areas. He emphasised the role of digital health in enhancing access to health services by using telemedicine, electronic medical record and one patient one ID concept.

"Modern technology will be leveraged to improve healthcare access across the country," he said. The minister said the government would ensure doctors and essential medicines are available on people’s doorsteps.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to eradicating polio and announced the launch of a nationwide Hepatitis C elimination programme, following the successful completion of a pilot project in Gilgit-Baltistan.