Caretaker Federal Health Minister, Dr Nadeem Jan, has unveiled plans to upgrade 500 primary healthcare centers across Pakistan within the next two months. Dr Nadeem Jan shared this initiative during a meeting with President Dr Arif Alvi at the President’s House, where he highlighted the efforts being made to fortify the primary healthcare system in alignment with the global health security agenda.
In discussions with President Alvi, Dr Nadeem Jan emphasized that the National Health Support Program’s implementation is poised to yield positive results for the health sector. He specifically mentioned that the collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) will play a pivotal role in upgrading 500 primary healthcare centers throughout Pakistan.
Earlier in the day, Dr Nadeem Jan addressed the ongoing polio immunization drive, urging parents to prioritize the vaccination of their children. At the launching ceremony of the third nationwide polio vaccination campaign, he expressed concern over five children being paralyzed by the poliovirus this year, emphasizing the importance of preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.
Dr Nadeem Jan stressed that safeguarding children’s well-being is a collective responsibility and called for the support of communities, parents, religious leaders, and social organizations in the fight against polio. He highlighted the successful strategies employed by countries that have eliminated polio, underscoring the need for similar community engagement in Pakistan.
The official launch of the polio vaccination campaign took place at Islamabad Model School, I-8/1, where school children presented a cultural tableau representing the provinces. The minister inaugurated the campaign by administering polio drops to children under the age of five, reaffirming the commitment to eradicating polio and ensuring the health and well-being of the younger generation.
