ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday termed healthcare as the most important priority of the government.
Chairing a briefing on Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, the prime minister said focus of the present government is to transform lives of ordinary people.
“Our priority is poor and neglected segments of society who are burdened under loans in case of any illness,” he said.
He directed that all issues should be brought before the task force on health for smooth implementation of the decisions at the operational level.
Secretary National Health Services Zahid Saeed briefed the prime minister about the performance, various issues and challenges confronted by the ministry and its strategic priorities.
The secretary also apprised of the regulatory functions of the ministry in the areas of drugs quality, upgradation of laboratories, medical education, disease surveillance, legislation in health sector and international commitments especially efforts to achieve the targets under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
PM Imran emphasised upon the need for better coordination among the federal and the provincial governments in the health sector.
He expressed his serious concern over the existing figures of undernourished children, child and infant mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate and maternal care. He also directed for devising a strategy for a nutrition program for undernourished children on priority basis.
He said that the federal government is launching a National Cleanliness Drive across the country in next few weeks that will also help check communicable diseases in the country.
He stressed that the focus of ministry must be on preventive care in addition to curative care. He also briefed on the Prime Minister National Health Programme.
