The Federal Minister of Health, Mustafa Kamal, warned that Pakistan’s health system cannot maintain the growing burden of the disease unless the approach changes from prevention treatment.
Speaking at a pilot project ceremony on child nutrition and maternal health, it emphasized the urgent need for clean water, wastewater treatment and population control to reduce pressure on the health sector.
“Our current system waits for patients to get sick before responding. It is essentially a disease care system, while the real function of a healthy system should be prevention before the disease,” Kamal said. “Prevention is better than the cure, we must protect people from falling ill in the first place.”
He cited estimates of experts that 68 percent of diseases in Pakistan come from contaminated water. “If clean water is guaranteed, 68% of diseases can be eliminated,” he said. “There is no effective wastewater treatment system in the country. We must make wastewater treatment part of our policies.”
Read: Disease outbreaks arise in the monsoon
The minister pointed out the population growth rate of 3.6 percent, among the highest in the region, saying that he has exerted immense pressure on resources and medical care. “Forty -three percent of children suffering from delay in delay in delay in the post, Pakistan occupies the first place in the region for patients with hepatitis C, and polio still exists in the country,” he said.
Highlighting the growing charges of patients in hospitals, Kamal said: “According to the existing system, the day will never come when the State can treat all patients.” He asked all health -related authorities to examine their policies again and enter measures to create a healthier environment.
“The Ministry of Health is paying special attention to prevent people from getting sick and striving to transform the care system with a genuine health system,” he added. “For a healthy Pakistan, sustainable measures are indispensable. Policies that promote a healthy environment must be developed and allow protection before diseases occur.”
The rains and floods of the generalized monsoon in Punjab this year have caused an increase in diseases transmitted by water and vectors, with the health authorities that warn about a growing crisis.
The 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.
