Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has announced that Pakistan has developed a new national health strategy with the assistance of international experts, aimed at shifting the country’s healthcare system from treatment-focused care to preventive healthcare.
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Addressing a health and nutrition conference in Islamabad, the minister said Pakistan’s current healthcare system is largely a “sick-care system” that focuses on treating diseases rather than preventing them. He stressed that the future approach must prioritize keeping people healthy instead of waiting for illnesses to develop.
He said the government has worked with global health specialists to design a comprehensive strategy that will strengthen primary healthcare services and reduce pressure on hospitals. According to him, simply building more hospitals and hiring additional doctors is not enough, and the entire healthcare ecosystem needs reform.
The minister highlighted that Pakistan’s rapidly growing population is placing significant strain on existing health infrastructure. He noted that population growth itself is becoming one of the major challenges for the healthcare system, alongside shortages of medical staff, facilities, clean drinking water, and essential medicines.
He added that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how even advanced healthcare systems can come under severe pressure during large-scale health crises. “No superpower can handle the burden of everyone falling ill at the same time,” he said, emphasizing the importance of prevention and public awareness.
The new strategy, he said, focuses on encouraging healthier lifestyles, improving early diagnosis, and expanding community-level healthcare services. The government also aims to reduce patient load on hospitals by strengthening basic healthcare units and promoting preventive care at the grassroots level.
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Officials believe the shift could help reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve overall public health outcomes if effectively implemented. However, experts note that success will depend on sustained investment, public cooperation, and structural reforms across the health sector. The ministry is expected to roll out further details of the strategy in the coming months as implementation plans are finalized.