LAHORE - Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique on Sunday emphasized that public health in the current era extends beyond mere treatment, requiring a robust health system built on digital records, disease monitoring, laboratory networks, and research-based decisions. Speaking as the chief guest at the 7th International Health Research Conference at the Institute of Public Health (IPH), Lahore, he underscored the significance of the conference theme, “One Nation, One Record, One Registry Network,” for the future of Pakistan’s health sector.
Government Initiatives
Khawaja Salman stated that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is fully committed to strengthening the health sector and supporting the medical community. He highlighted several major health initiatives launched by the Punjab government, including the Chief Minister’s Children’s Heart Surgery Programme, kidney and liver transplant programmes, bone marrow transplants, cochlear implants, corneal transplants, adult cardiac surgery, cancer treatment, and stroke management programmes.
The provincial minister noted that neurology services for adults and children are being introduced in all districts in phases, and special arrangements have been made for free dialysis treatment in government and private hospitals across Punjab. Additionally, new children’s hospitals are being established at all divisional headquarters. He mentioned that the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha and the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore will start functioning in July, while burn units are also being set up in divisional headquarters, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan.
Laboratory Strengthening
Khawaja Salman Rafique revealed that the Punjab government has allocated Rs116 million for the Water Testing Laboratory to strengthen monitoring of environmental health and water quality. He added that the establishment and operational strengthening of the Public Health Laboratory have improved preparedness, diagnostics, and surveillance systems for disease outbreaks. The Institute of Public Health has played an active role in dengue surveillance, alert generation, vector monitoring, and technical guidance for outbreak preparedness, following integrated vector management principles recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
IPH Performance
The minister praised the performance of IPH under the leadership of Dean Professor Dr. Saira Afzal, noting that the institution has shown significant growth in a short period. He highlighted the renovation and rehabilitation of seven institutional buildings, revival of MPH and MPhil academic programmes, and strengthening of research and laboratory systems. Khawaja Salman Rafique expressed the Punjab government’s desire for institutions like IPH to emerge as strong centres of public health education, research, and innovation in Pakistan. He also appreciated the cooperation of international experts and organisations in improving Pakistan’s health system, patient safety, and research collaboration.
Call for Practical Research
Addressing researchers and students, the minister stressed the need for practical research aimed at solving real health problems in Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Javed Akram said modern medical research is essential to protect society from dangerous diseases, adding that developed countries are successfully overcoming major health challenges through research and innovation. Dean IPH Prof. Dr. Saira Afzal thanked Khawaja Salman Rafique and other guests for participating in the conference and credited the institution’s progress to the support of the provincial health minister and Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Azmat Mahmood. National and international speakers, faculty members, and a large number of participants attended the conference.
