The Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, today detailed Pakistan’s strategic shift towards proactive, prevention-focused healthcare, moving away from a “sick care” model, during the 9th Meeting of Health Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek. He also extended an invitation for Pakistan to host the next Health Ministers’ Meeting in 2027.
Addressing the distinguished gathering, Dr. Bharath lauded Kyrgyzstan’s leadership as SCO Chair and commended the Secretariat”s efforts in fostering regional collaboration in public health. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation, aiming to advance health and well-being in line with SCO public health programmes and joint epidemic response strategies.
Emphasising the nation’s evolving health policy, Dr. Bharath noted Pakistan’s alignment with global commitments to strengthening primary healthcare and achieving Universal Health Coverage. He highlighted ongoing challenges in maternal and child health, particularly in regions facing high fertility, malnutrition, and non-communicable diseases.
To tackle these issues, the Government of Pakistan has recently formulated the National Health and Population Policy (2026-2035), designed to bolster primary healthcare systems and improve population health outcomes.
The Minister stressed the significance of digital health innovation, detailing Pakistan’s expansion of telemedicine, mobile health solutions, and data-driven systems to enhance healthcare provision and accessibility. He underscored the potential for SCO member states to collaborate on developing robust and interconnected digital health infrastructures.
On regional health security, Dr. Bharath reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to reinforcing emergency preparedness and response capabilities. He stressed the necessity of coordinated approaches, shared resources, and innovation to effectively manage public health crises and natural calamities.
Attention was also drawn to the increasing number of Pakistani students pursuing medical education in SCO nations, particularly in Kyrgyzstan, where over 7,000 are currently enrolled. He highlighted the importance of upholding rigorous standards in medical education and fostering academic exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Bharath reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to advance prevention-oriented health policies, fortify primary healthcare, and deepen collaboration within the SCO framework for equitable and sustainable health outcomes.