ISLAMABAD: NOV 21 (DNA):Government of Pakistan launched a new, costed National Action Plan for Health Security (2024-28), which will help strengthen the capacity of national and provincial health systems to effectively prevent, detect and respond to evolving public health emergencies.

National Action Plan for Health Security (2024-28) – a comprehensive five-year roadmap – was presented to stakeholders at an event led by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination. Coordinator to the Honourable Prime Minister on Health, Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad;

Federal Health Secretary, Mr Nadeem Mahbub; Advisor to KP Chief Minister on Health, Mr. Ihtisham Ali; and Gilgit Baltistan Health Minister, Mr. Raja Azam Khan joined the Deputy British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mr Andrew Dalgleish to launch and disseminate the action plan. Coordinator to the Honourable Prime Minister on Health, Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad, said: “Costed operational plans under the National Action Plan for Health Security (2024-28) will help the federal and provincial governments to prioritise interventions and decisions for improved technical capacities in tackling emergencies and disasters. The plan also vows to strengthen health security in Pakistan by integrating human, animal, and environmental health through the One Health approach.

Today’s event has presented a combined national action for Pakistan to enhance preparedness and combat threats emerging from pandemics.” Dignitaries gracing the occasion included Ministers from Federal and Provincial Governments; officials from National and Provincial Health Departments including Governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K); and development partners including World Health Organization (WHO), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Unites States Agency for International Development (USAID), and others.

Deputy British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mr Andrew Dalgleish, said: “The National Action Plan for Health Security (2024-28) recognises the need for improved health security in Pakistan, while also strengthening primary health services, emergency coordination, disease surveillance and response systems. I’m proud that the UK is playing such an active role in supporting Pakistan build a resilient health system.

” The action plan, developed with support from the UK’s Evidence for Health (E4H) Programme, contains inputs from the government officials and other stakeholders compiled through an extensive consultation process. Led by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and the National Institute of Health, the updated National Action Plan for Health Security (2024-28) builds on findings from the second Joint External Evaluation conducted for Pakistan in 2023. The plan also emphasises on the establishment of an International Health Regulations (IHR) monitoring mechanism to ensure better governance for health security in the country.

Federal Health Secretary, Mr Nadeem Mahbub said: “The event today emphasises on the need for synchronised efforts between federal and provincial stakeholders. This comprehensive approach is necessary to address both immediate and long-term public health risks for Pakistan.” WHO Representative said: “WHO lauds the development of Pakistan’s National Action Plan for Health Security (2024-28), which focuses a comprehensive One Health approach to strengthen preparedness and response to health emergencies. WHO remains committed to assisting Pakistan in aligning its priorities with International Health Regulations.”