Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal reviewed the rabies situation in country on Monday and reaffirmed government’s commitment to eliminate preventable rabies-related deaths through close collaboration with provincial governments and technical partners.
Kamal reviews rabies situation, reaffirms commitment to eliminate preventable rabies deaths through close collaboration
ISLAMABAD, Jul 13 (APP): Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal reviewed the rabies situation in country on Monday and reaffirmed government’s commitment to eliminate preventable rabies-related deaths through close collaboration with provincial governments and technical partners.
He made these remarks during meeting with a delegation led by Chief Executive Officer of The Indus Hospital and Health Network, Dr Abdul Bari Khan, where they discussed urgent national measures for the prevention and effective control of rabies in Pakistan.
During the meeting, the delegation briefed the minister on the country’s current rabies situation, emphasizing the importance of development of proper national rabies surveillance system for the effective management of the disease.
Minister was apprised that according to available estimates, nearly 5,000 people die from rabies each year in Pakistan, while a large number of dog bite cases are reported annually in children and people living in rural areas and underserved urban communities, which are among the most affected segment.
Expressing deep concern over the growing burden of rabies, Mustafa Kamal gave in-principle approval for the development of a National Rabies Prevention and Control Framework, saying that a National Technical Working Advisory Group would soon be constituted to lead the preparation of the framework.
The minister also directed that a nationwide public awareness campaign be launched to protect people from the preventable disease.
He appreciated the province-wide anti-rabies campaign initiated under the leadership of the Chief Minister of Sindh and commended The Indus Hospital and Health Network for providing technical support in rabies prevention efforts.
On the occasion, Dr Abdul Bari Khan presented the minister with the “Sindh Official Guidelines for Prevention of Human Rabies (2024),” developed with the technical support of The Indus Hospital and Health Network.
The minister also paid tribute to the late Professor Naseem Salahuddin, expressing grief over her passing and condolences to her family.
He said her outstanding contributions to rabies prevention and the promotion of public health in Pakistan would always be remembered.
