Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has warned that Pakistan’s healthcare system cannot sustain the growing burden of disease unless the focus shifts from treatment to prevention.
Speaking at a pilot project ceremony on child nutrition and maternal health, he stressed the urgent need for clean water, effective sewage treatment, and population control to reduce pressure on the health sector.
“Our current system waits for patients to fall sick before responding. It is essentially a sick-care system, whereas a healthy system’s real function should be prevention before disease,” Kamal said. “Prevention is better than cure, we must protect people from falling ill in the first place.”
He cited expert estimates that 68 per cent of diseases in Pakistan stem from contaminated water. “If clean water is ensured, 68% of diseases can be eliminated,” he noted. “There is no effective sewage treatment system in the country. We must make sewage treatment part of our policies.”
Read: Disease outbreaks surge in monsoon
The minister pointed to Pakistan’s population growth rate of 3.6 per cent, among the highest in the region, saying it has put immense pressure on resources and healthcare. “Forty-three per cent of children suffer from stunting, Pakistan ranks first in the region for Hepatitis C patients, and polio still exists in the country,” he said.
Highlighting rising patient loads in hospitals, Kamal said: “Under the existing system, the day will never come when the state can treat all patients.” He called on all health-related authorities to re-examine their policies and introduce measures to create a healthier environment.
“The Ministry of Health is giving special attention to preventing people from becoming sick and is striving to transform the sick-care system into a genuine healthcare system,” he added. “For a healthy Pakistan, sustainable measures are indispensable. Policies should be developed that promote a healthy environment and enable protection before diseases occur.”
Widespread monsoon rains and floods across Punjab this year have triggered a rise in water and vector-borne diseases, with health authorities warning of an escalating crisis.
Authorities have urged citizens to drain stagnant water, store drinking water safely and seek medical help immediately in case of fever, vomiting or unusual symptoms.
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