Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
The Global Health Summit, a two-day event with health ministers, health experts and stakeholders from around the world concluded on Thursday with a resolve to a unified, coordinated response to emerging health challenges.
The summit provided a platform for insightful discussions, knowledge exchange, and establishment of collaborative initiatives to strengthen global health security.
Federal Minister for Nation Health Services Regulation & Coordination Dr Nadeem Jan while addressing the concluding ceremony congratulated the delegates and participants for making the event a success.
The summit expressed determination and shared vision among nations transcending geopolitical boundaries in the pursuit of a common goal.
The discussions during the various sessions of the summit covered a wide range of topics from collaborative preparedness to the critical role of resilient health systems. Delegates shared invaluable insights, emphasizing the interconnectedness of our shared destiny.
“Beyond national interests, we are partners for a common goal – to ensure the health of all,” said Dr Nadeem Jan at the conclusion of the summit.
Dr. Nadeem Jan proposed the Global Health Security Agenda Champion Award for the countries/ individuals in recognition of their exemplary contributions to the cause.
He also proposed inclusion of a dedicated special session on global health security in both the annual UNGA and World Health Assembly agendas. This would provide a regular platform for nations to review progress, share insights, and discuss emerging health challenges on a global scale. A comprehensive 5-years global action plan was proposed to guide nations in implementing strategies for enhancing health security.
The driving force behind the successful holding of the summit, Federal Secretary Iftikhar Ali Shalwani called the summit a milestone that provided a platform for the health experts to benefit from one another’s experiences and expertise.
It is indeed a dream come true to witness the collaborative efforts of policy makers, experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from around the world, he said.
He also emphasized the need for continued collaboration, and the implementation of evidence-based strategies to safeguard global health. In his address, he underscored the importance of the summit as a platform for forging partnerships and creating a roadmap for collective action.
Director General of Health, Dr. Muhammad Ahmed Kazi expressed sincere gratitude to distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, and participants for their active engagement throughout the summit. He also summarized the main highlights of the two day proceedings of the Summit.
Towards the end, Federal Secretary Iftikhar Shalwani presented the main points of the declaration agreed upon by the participants. The declaration outlines key commitments and action points that will guide future initiatives in the realm of global health security. Some of them include: Development and strengthening of public health functions under IHR 2005 to build countries’ capacities; scaling up efforts to strengthen national and international cooperation at the highest possible levels; expansion of coverage of quality; enhancing political ownership at all levels and development of synergies among UHC, health security, and health well-being through strong governance.
