Pakistan is grappling with a severe public health crisis, with contaminated water causing 68% of diseases and a lack of effective sewage treatment nationwide, Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal revealed today.

Addressing the concluding session of the National Health Conference in Islamabad, the minister painted a grim picture of the nation’s health, describing sewage mixing with drinking water “from the peaks of Gilgit to the shores of Karachi.”

Minister Kamal also highlighted alarming statistics on other health issues. He noted Pakistan’s high rates of Hepatitis C and diabetes, with 40% of children suffering from malnutrition and stunted growth. Polio, he pointed out, persists in only two countries globally: Afghanistan and Pakistan. Additionally, a staggering 26 million children are out of school.

Overwhelmed healthcare facilities, like PIMS Hospital, designed for far fewer patients, now face millions seeking treatment. Minister Kamal emphasized the principle of prevention over cure, arguing the current situation is untenable and calling for population control measures as part of national policy.

Announcing a major development, Minister Kamal unveiled a new universal medical record system using National Identity Card (NIC) numbers. This system, he explained, addresses the current lack of patient history tracking in Pakistan. To further alleviate the burden on hospitals, he confirmed the introduction of telemedicine and the strengthening of primary healthcare centers.

The conference, hosted by the National Institute of Health (NIH), focused on enhancing Pakistan’s capacity for outbreak preparedness and diarrheal disease control. Dr Muhammad Salman, CEO of NIH, stated the event would inform policy updates on cholera response and antimicrobial resistance. Dr Massab Umair, Principal Scientific Officer at NIH, emphasized the importance of shared insights and the development of actionable strategies for disease prevention and response.

Over two days, participants assessed the burden of diarrheal diseases, reviewed surveillance progress, explored antimicrobial resistance, and worked on actionable public health plans. The sessions covered five key themes, bringing together a diverse range of experts and stakeholders to strengthen Pakistan”s health preparedness.