ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal met with Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, according to the Ministry of Health spokesperson.
During the meeting, the minister praised the Foundation’s continued support for polio eradication in Pakistan. He reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to eliminating the disease, highlighting the unified efforts of federal and provincial governments as well as law enforcement agencies.
Minister Kamal acknowledged the sacrifices made by security personnel in the fight against polio and stated that the mission would continue until the disease is fully eradicated. He emphasized Prime Minister’s leadership and regular oversight of anti-polio initiatives.
He noted that Pakistan and Afghanistan are coordinating simultaneous polio campaigns, with successful nationwide drives held in February and April. The next national campaign begins on May 26, targeting 45.4 million children.The minister expressed hope that Pakistan will achieve polio eradication by the end of 2025. Dr. Elias appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and expressed optimism about reaching the goal within the year.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services has initiated a new collaboration with China’s BGI Group, a global leader in genomics, to strengthen the country’s genetic research capabilities. A high-level meeting, chaired by Minister of State for Health Dr. Mukhtar Bharath, outlined proposed areas of cooperation, including genetic testing, rare disease research, and diagnostics enhancement.
Key initiatives include the establishment of a national gene bank and the formation of a technical team by the National Institutes of Health to define strategic priorities. A Pakistani delegation will visit BGI’s facilities in China to explore joint work in thalassemia, cancer, reproductive health, and rare diseases.
