Taking an unprecedented initiative, Pakistan organized a first-of-its-kind “Global Health Security Summit” (GHSS) in Islamabad.
The two-day debate on 10-11 January is aimed at devising a strategy to deal with future pandemic preparedness, climate change and new threats to public health.
The Ministry of National Regulation and Coordination of Health Services invited delegates from over 70 countries including the USA, UK, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka to name a few.
At least 34 ministers of health confirmed their willingness to participate in the summit.
Representatives of international health and financial organizations such as WHO, UN, UNICEF, CDC, USAID, WOAH and the World Bank will also speak at the conference.
Delegates are expected to share their experiences and knowledge on extreme weather conditions, climate change, vector-borne diseases and health cooperation.
In the era of pandemics, this conference is also aimed at reviving the momentum for equitable preparedness. It will therefore be a system of early warning of diseases, epidemic alerts and surveillance.
The aim is to allocate roles and responsibilities and give rights and privileges to each country, especially low- and middle-income countries. To ensure the fairness of vaccines, patents were deregulated and the transfer of vaccine manufacturing technology was allowed.
In addition, delegates will propose a sustainable financing strategy, including through co-financing, based on “equity for global health security and access to universal health coverage”.
The initiative is the brainchild of the interim Federal Minister of Health, Dr. Nadeem Jana.
The temporary health ministers of all provinces also played their part. Still, the role of Health Minister Iftikhar Shalwani and Director General of Health Dr. Muhammad Ahmad Kazi for meticulously planning the summit.
This historic summit was previously scheduled for December but was postponed due to the UAE COP28. Dr. However, Jan was able to reschedule in such a short time.
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Dr. Jan said that by taking this initiative, Pakistan wants to develop a global pandemic charter. It will not only improve the image of our country but also develop the confidence of international stakeholders in our healthcare and its ability to meet challenges of unprecedented scale.
Dr Jan said that after a pandemic, countries usually pay little attention to devastating diseases. However, Pakistan has taken the lead in alarming the world that the worst is yet to come.
He said: “No one is safe until everyone is safe. The virus doesn’t need a passport. It has a visa to every country. So please protect your people.”
Health Minister Iftikhar Shalwani said: “By effectively dealing with the catastrophic earthquake of 2005 and the devastating floods of 2010, Pakistan has demonstrated its resilience.”
He continued that when it comes to Covid-19: “We have done better than many European countries and now we want to get back on our feet to eradicate polio and tuberculosis and deal with diseases like malaria.
Ellen Mpangananji Thom, WHO Pakistan Office-in-Charge, said in her message that “GHS is about shaping our common future for us and our future generations and Pakistan has taken a bold step in this direction”.
Dr. Manchester-based Abdul Hafeez, who is the founder of the UK Association of Pakistani Physicians and Surgeons, suggested: “The WHO should make it mandatory for all pharmaceutical companies to donate a certain percentage of their medicines and vaccines to the developing world”.
Dr. Hafeez, who has also served in Pakistan in various capacities, further said that “even 4% to 5% of their products will help significantly improve global health”.
Over the years, it is noted that health has also become intertwined with the national development and security of the country.
In addition, the increase in travel has made borders irrelevant and environmental disasters have turned health problems into a greater threat.
Ali Munawar, a leading Pakistani-American medical consultant said, “Regardless of their preparedness, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the true impact of global health security on the national security of all countries.”
That is why the summit in Islamabad is being held under the slogan “Together for a healthy planet”. After a two-day meeting on these challenges, the future global health security charter will be signed.
Currently, Pakistan is the chair of the Global Health and Safety Agenda (GHSA).
This GHSA is a platform for nations, international organizations and civil society activists to make the world a safer place from the threat of infectious diseases.
