BEIJING ( WNAM REPORT ): Federal Minister for Health, Dr. Mustafa Kamal, held a productive meeting with China’s Health Minister on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Health Conference. The meeting reaffirmed the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China and explored new avenues for cooperation in the healthcare sector.
The Chinese Health Minister warmly welcomed Minister Kamal and expressed best wishes for Pakistan’s progress in health and development. Emphasizing the longstanding and resilient relationship between the two nations, both sides highlighted the mutual support extended during difficult times, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Kamal acknowledged China’s generous assistance during the pandemic, especially the timely supply of vaccines, and conveyed the gratitude of the Government and people of Pakistan.
During the discussion, the two sides underscored the importance of enhancing collaboration in pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical technology, and digital health. Minister Kamal emphasized the need for technology transfer from China in the pharmaceutical sector and invited Chinese pharmaceutical and medical device companies to invest in Pakistan.
“There are immense opportunities for Chinese investment in Pakistan’s health sector, especially in pharmaceutical manufacturing and telemedicine,” said Minister Kamal. “Most pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan rely on raw material imports from China. We are keen to develop local production capacity, particularly for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), through joint ventures and public-private partnerships.”
Highlighting the significance of telemedicine, Minister Kamal noted that leveraging digital health tools is essential to bridging the gap between primary and tertiary healthcare. He expressed Pakistan’s commitment to learning from China’s successful experiences in expanding telehealth services.
The Minister also stressed the need to enhance the capacity of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), proposing training programs and exchange visits for DRAP experts to benefit from China’s regulatory expertise.
The Chinese Health Minister appreciated Pakistan’s proposals and expressed strong support for expanding bilateral cooperation in the health sector. Both sides agreed to:
Appoint focal points to finalize actionable cooperation frameworks,
Promote collaboration in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),
Facilitate joint training, research, and investment opportunities,
Enhance exchange programs and build institutional linkages.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen health sector cooperation, reinforcing the spirit of the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic partnership.
