ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday chaired a briefing on Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination at the PM Office.
Minister for NHSR&C Aamir Mehmood Kiyani, Secretary NHSR&C Capt (R) Zahid Saeed, DG National Health Asad Hafeez and senior officers were present during the meeting.
Secretary NHSR&C briefed the prime minister about performance of the Ministry, various issues and challenges confronted by the Ministry and its strategic priorities.
The secretary also apprised the premier of regulatory functions of the Ministry, particularly after the 18th Amendment, in the areas of drugs quality, up-gradation of laboratories, medical education, disease surveillance, legislation in health sector and international commitments, especially efforts to achieve the targets under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Secretary NHSR&C also briefed the Prime Minister on the Prime Minister National Health Programme.
Prime Minister Khan highlighted healthcare as the most important priority of the government, saying that focus of the present government was to transform lives of ordinary people. “Our priority is the poor and neglected segments of society who are burdened under loans in case of any illness.”
The prime minister directed that all issues should be brought before the Task Force on Health and stressed expeditious disposal of administrative and legislative matters in the Task Force for smooth implementation of final decisions at operational level. The prime minister emphasised the need for better coordination among federal and provincial governments in health sector.
The prime minister expressed concern over existing figures of under-nourished children, child and infant mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate and maternal care.
Khan also directed for devising a strategy for a nutrition programme for under-nourished children on priority basis.
The prime minister said the federal government was launching National Cleanliness Drive across the country in next few weeks that would also help effectively check communicable diseases in the country. Imran Khan stressed that the focus of Ministry of NHSR&C must be on preventive care in addition to curative care.
