Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad along with technical team, represented Pakistan at the high-level summit in Doha, Qatar.
Speaking at the plenary session of the summit ‘transforming mental health through investment, innovation, and digital solutions, the Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as a national priority.
He presented Pakistan’s achievements in strengthening primary healthcare systems, integrating non-communicable diseases and mental health into essential services, and advancing digital health solutions.
Despite significant challenges such as limited fiscal capacity, post-flood recovery efforts, and workforce shortages, Dr Malik Mukhtar emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to healthcare and building resilience within its health systems.
During the session on “Accountability for Child and Adolescent Mental Health,” the Minister underscored the critical importance of prioritizing the mental health of young people as central to Pakistan’s development agenda.
He shared Pakistan’s progress in implementing school-based mental health programs, integrating adolescent mental health into primary healthcare services, and recognizing mental health as a key pillar in the forthcoming National Health and Population Policy 2026-2035.
He called for greater international collaboration and investment to scale up these initiatives and ensure accountability for measurable results.
On the sidelines of the summit, Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad engaged in a series of high-level bilateral meetings to advance Pakistan’s health priorities.
In discussions with the Minister of Public Health of Qatar, Pakistan requested flexibility in post-FCPS experience requirements for specialists and consultants, receiving a positive and encouraging response.
During meetings with officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, Pakistan expressed its readiness to host the upcoming Ministerial Global Health Summit, an offer that was warmly welcomed by both organizations.
In a bilateral meeting with Egypt’s Minister of Health, the Minister of State conveyed Pakistan’s intention to adapt Egypt’s successful Hepatitis C elimination model and praised Egypt’s continued leadership in regional health cooperation.
Additional engagements with regional health leaders focused on strengthening collaboration in digital health, workforce development, and disease elimination efforts.
The visit secured notable outcomes, including Qatar’s positive consideration of easing workforce mobility requirements for Pakistani healthcare professionals and new opportunities for technical cooperation with Egypt, Iran, and other regional partners.