ISLAMABAD, August 19: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has said that the Ministry of National Health Services is working in close coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the provincial governments to ensure uninterrupted medical assistance to flood-affected regions across the country.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said that the health ministry had initiated relief operations without waiting for formal requests, and all medical requirements communicated by provincial governments were promptly met. “We provided 100 percent of the required medicines to the affected areas and ensured timely dispatch of medical supplies,” he stressed.
The minister highlighted that on receiving a request from Shangla district, an 18-member medical team — comprising 12 doctors from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and eight from Polyclinic Hospital — was immediately dispatched to provide on-ground healthcare services to displaced communities.
He added that alongside medicines, large quantities of mosquito nets were also sent to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases in flood-hit areas. “Preventive measures are as crucial as curative ones, and we are ensuring both,” he remarked.
According to the minister, the federal health ministry has already delivered 3,410 kilograms of medicines to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 350 kilograms to Gilgit-Baltistan. Vaccines to counter waterborne diseases caused by stagnant floodwaters have also been provided.
Mustafa Kamal underlined that all federal health institutions were on high alert and operating under strict monitoring mechanisms. “Our teams are working round-the-clock, and the entire system is under constant surveillance to respond to any emerging medical need. The affected citizens are our brothers, and we stand with them at every step,” he said.
He further informed that a Command and Control Room had been established at the National Institute of Health (NIH) to monitor the evolving situation 24/7. “These measures are being undertaken under the leadership and directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” he noted.
Concluding his remarks, the health minister prayed for the nation’s swift recovery from the calamity. “May Allah Almighty grant our people relief and protect the country from such disasters,” he said.
