ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Minister National Health Services Muhammad Yusuf Shaikh has said that though health is a provincial subject, the federal government cannot absolve itself of its responsibility.
While speaking on Tuesday during his visit to the National Institute of Health (NIH) where he was briefed by the Executive Director NIH Professor Dr. Amir Ikram, the minister said that it was a priority to transform National Institute of Health so it attains the role and standing it truly deserves both nationally and internationally.
The minister said that NIH is a national asset and has enormous potential. He said that I was confident that the uplift of NIH I will contribute towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serve our people.
Yusuf Shaikh said that upgradation of laboratory facilities is critical, a task that had been successfully undertaken. He was pleased to note that NIH is undertaking successful implementation of five years road map of International Health Regulations and Global Health Security Agenda along with implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System in the country.
The minister said that the NIH that you see today is entirely different from the institute of the Past. He said that new initiatives undertaken by NIH are of critical importance in supporting the provinces.
“We must continue to strive to improve the quality of Health Services,” he said adding that the Public Health Scientist of NIH must make every effort in this context.