Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, stressed the critical importance of safe hospital waste disposal in safeguarding public health.
He spoke at a ceremony organized by the Indus Hospital and Health Network marking the provision of specialized vehicles for infectious medical refuse removal. The Minister emphasized that proactive measures are essential to prevent outbreaks. ‘Prevention is better than cure,’ he stated, noting that diseases will overwhelm healthcare systems if precautions aren’t taken. With support from the Global Fund, Indus Hospital has deployed these specialized vans in 15 districts, including Islamabad.
Minister Kamal cautioned that improperly handled medical refuse poses a severe health risk, becoming a vector for disease transmission. ‘Protecting people from disease is our topmost priority,’ he declared. He reiterated expert opinions that prioritize preventative healthcare over treatment. ‘The first step in healthcare is to ensure people do not fall sick,’ he said, lamenting the historical neglect of preventative strategies.
The Minister highlighted environmental and public health concerns, noting that contaminated water contributes to 68% of illnesses nationwide. He stressed the significance of clean drinking water access, population management, and safe disposal of hazardous medical refuse in disease prevention initiatives.
‘Besides building hospitals and ensuring medicine availability, we must concentrate on disease prevention,” he stated, adding that rapid population expansion strains healthcare delivery and increases hospital patient loads.
Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, President of Indus Hospital, addressed the audience, emphasizing that healthcare advancement relies not only on new facilities and equipment but on systems that prevent illness.
‘These vehicles demonstrate our commitment to infection control, environmental safety, and sustainable healthcare,’ Dr. Bari affirmed. He expressed gratitude for governmental support and hoped for nationwide adoption of this model.