'Karachi's public health in peril'

Mustafa Kamal has expressed deep concern over Karachi's deteriorating living conditions, calling the city "unfit for human habitation" due to lack of potable water and public health infrastructure. Speaking at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce on Monday, the federal minister for health highlighted the growing water crisis, questioning the source of tanker water supplied at exorbitant prices and hinting at involvement of influential figures in the water business.

Mustafa Kamal said that when he served as Karachi's mayor, the city ranked among the world's 12 fastest-developing cities. Today, he lamented, children are dying in open drains, and Karachi no longer provides a safe environment for its residents. He criticised the provincial government for mismanaging funds, stating that Sindh has received over Rs 20,000 billion in the last 17 years but has failed to deliver essential services at the grassroots level.

The minister also spoke about reforms in the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and the Nursing Council, noting that both institutions have been digitalised to improve efficiency. He stated that DRAP now registers products online within 20 days, and a new digital Nursing Council has been established to train nurses for both domestic and international demand, addressing the shortage of 900,000 nurses in the country.

Highlighting public health concerns, Kamal warned that 70 per cent of diseases in Pakistan are waterborne, and rapid urbanisation without proper sewage treatment is worsening the crisis. He said that vaccinating children at their doorstep has faced obstacles, and that hospitals alone cannot meet the needs of a growing population.

Addressing trade-related issues, Karachi Chamber of Commerce President Rehan Hanif said the ongoing transporters' strike has paralysed national trade, halting exports for a week and causing heavy financial losses.