Karachi — Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has raised concerns that Afghanistan could outpace Pakistan in eradicating polio, despite Pakistan’s long-running efforts. Speaking at the 6th International Medical Research Conference in Karachi, Kamal urged for greater urgency and implementation of health research to strengthen Pakistan’s response.
The conference, organized by the Health Research Advisory Board at Gates Pharma Auditorium, brought together health officials from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the National Institute of Health, and representatives of public and private medical institutions.
Minister Kamal stressed that although Pakistan has made significant strides in medical research, the lack of practical application remains a major setback. He highlighted that Afghanistan’s proactive polio eradication strategies could allow it to achieve the goal ahead of Pakistan.
“Despite our resources and efforts, implementation is where we fall short,” Kamal said, adding that digital tools like mobile technology can play a transformative role in bridging healthcare gaps. He noted that primary and secondary healthcare systems remain underdeveloped, forcing tertiary hospitals to handle around 70% of the patient burden.
To improve healthcare management, Kamal announced that Pakistanis’ national identity card numbers will soon be integrated as unique medical record identifiers. He also pledged to ensure that research and reports by the Health Research Advisory Board are effectively implemented.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has acknowledged the success of recent nationwide anti-polio campaigns, noting that no new polio case has been reported in Pakistan since February 10, 2025. He commended government institutions and international partners for their role in the ongoing fight against polio.
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The Prime Minister also directed authorities to ramp up public awareness and community mobilization ahead of the next nationwide anti-polio campaign, scheduled to begin on April 21. “It must be ensured that every child under five years of age receives the polio vaccine,” he said.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Earlier this week, two polio workers were reportedly kidnapped in Dera Ismail Khan, underlining the risks faced by frontline health workers.
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