ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said on Monday that Pakistan’s population is increasing annually by as much as New Zealand’s entire population, warning that unchecked growth is putting immense pressure on the country’s healthcare and public services.
Speaking at the launch of a digital system for the licensing and registration of medical devices, the minister said Pakistan’s population growth rate has reached 3.6% — one of the highest in the region.
“We are adding a population equal to that of New Zealand every year,” he noted, stressing the need for integrated policies to manage the surge.
Kamal said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a high-level committee on population control, and the government is launching an integrated healthcare system to monitor patient needs more effectively. He emphasized that the state is committed to easing healthcare access and improving outcomes for all citizens.
On medical equipment regulation, the minister revealed major reforms. He said Pakistan has ended the culture of favoritism in medical device registration, which previously took up to three years. Under the new system, registration will now be completed within 120 days.
“The Prime Minister knows the system well. He’s experienced and serious about change,” Kamal said, referring to Shehbaz Sharif’s background as a former Chief Minister.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s pressing health issues, stating that 68% of diseases in the country are caused by contaminated water. “When you visit pediatric cancer wards, your heart sinks,” he said emotionally. “We need to stop people from becoming patients in the first place.”
Kamal emphasized a prevention-first approach, arguing that the current health model waits for patients to reach hospitals instead of working to keep citizens healthy before disease strikes.