In an address at the inaugural session of the Global Health Security Summit 2024, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar underscored the imperative to establish a global fund dedicated to ensuring health security on a global scale. His visionary call emphasized the need for collaborative mechanisms and sufficient funding to bridge gaps and ensure comprehensive health protection for all nations.
Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar highlighted the significance of an open, transparent, and multi-sectoral approach, urging investment in processes that strengthen commitment at every level. The “One Health” approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, took center stage in his address. The prime minister called for the establishment of global frameworks facilitating information sharing, joint research, and collaborative strategies for effective emergency responses.
Emphasizing the importance of enhanced coordination beyond borders, PM Kakar advocated for a robust surveillance system and tiered public health laboratory infrastructure for early detection, response, and mitigation. The call extended to collaboratively establishing international standards for food safety and harmonizing regulations to ensure the highest level of protection globally.
Addressing the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance, he urged international collaboration and a unified front against this challenge, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to develop and enforce global standards.
In recognizing the collective response needed to address both external and internal health challenges, the prime minister asserted that no single state could meet these challenges alone. He drew attention to the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the invaluable importance of collaboration, preparedness, and a unified response.
Caretaker PM Kakar envisioned a world where health security is a universal right, measured not only by crisis response capacity but also by the ability to prevent, detect, and mitigate health threats.
Concluding on the shared responsibility in the face of climate change, he highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability and urged the integration of climate resilience into health policies. The prime minister expressed hope that the Summit would mark a significant step towards a healthier global future, where health becomes a true global asset.
