In an unprecedented move, Pakistan has decided to hold the inaugural “Global Health Security Summit” (GHSS) in Islamabad.
Developing a plan to address future pandemic preparation, climate change, and new public health concerns is the goal of the two-day moot on January 10–11.
Delegates from over 70 nations have been invited by the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination, including, to mention a few, the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.
At least thirty-four health ministers have indicated that they will attend the conference.
Speaking at the conference will be representatives from global health and finance organizations, including the World Bank, UN, CDC, USAID, WOAH, and WHO.
It is anticipated that the delegates will exchange insights and knowledge regarding extreme weather, vector-borne diseases, climate change, and one health partnership.
This conference also aims to create momentum for equitable preparedness in a pandemic period. Thus, discussions on surveillance, epidemic warnings, and disease early warning systems will take place.
The objective is to provide every country, especially the low- and middle-income countries, rights and privileges along with roles and obligations. in order to guarantee vaccine equality, de-regulate patents, and facilitate the transfer of manufacturing technology for vaccines.
Additionally, the delegates will develop a sustainable financing plan based on “equity for Global Health Security & access to Universal Health Coverage,” which will include pool money.
The initiative is the creator’s idea.All provinces’ acting health ministers have contributed as well. However, the careful planning of the summit must be commended for the work of Director General of Health Dr. Muhammad Ahmad Kazi and Secretary of Health Iftikhar Shalwani.
This historic conference was originally scheduled for December, but it was postponed because to COP28 in the UAE. Dr. Jan has, nevertheless, been effective at rescheduling it in a short amount of time.
According to Dr. Jan, Pakistan hopes to create a worldwide pandemic charter by pursuing this step. In addition to enhancing our nation’s reputation, it will increase foreign stakeholders’ trust in our health system and its ability to handle difficulties of a never-before-seen magnitude.
“No one is safe until everyone is safe,” he declared. A virus is not in need of a passport. Every nation has a visa for it. Thus, kindly safeguard your individuals.
“Pakistan has demonstrated its resilience by skillfully managing the catastrophic earthquake in 2005 and the devastating floods in 2010,” stated Secretary of Health Iftikhar Shalwani.
In regards to Covid-19, he continued, “We have done better than many European countries and now we want to stand up on our feet to eradicate diseases like malaria and tuberculosis.”
Ellen Mpangananji Thom, Office In Charge, WHO Pakistan, stated in her message: “Pakistan has taken a bold step in that direction. GHS is all about shaping our collective future for us and our generations to come.”
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Manchester-based “WHO should make it mandatory for all pharmaceutical companies to donate some percentage of their medicines and vaccines to the developing world,” suggested Dr. Abdul Hafeez, the founder of the Association of Pakistani Physicians and Surgeons of the United Kingdom.
Having previously worked in Pakistan in a number of roles, Dr. Hafeez continued, stating that “even 4% to 5% of their products will help significantly improve global health”.
It has been observed over time that a nation’s security and national progress are now correlated with health.
Above all, increased travel has rendered borders obsolete, and environmental disasters have increased the threat posed by health difficulties.
“Regardless of their preparedness, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the true impact of global health security on the national security of all countries,” stated top Pakistani American medical consultant Ali Munawar.
For this reason, the summit in Islamabad is being organized under the theme “Together for a Healthy Planet.” Following the two days of discussion on these issues, a future charter for global health security will be inked.
Pakistan is the current Global Health and Security Agenda (GHSA) Chair.
In order to reduce the threat of infectious illnesses and make the world a safer place, states, international organizations, and civil society activists have united under the GHSA.
