A delegation of the Health Research Advisory Board met Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal to review measures aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s health research system and enhancing disease surveillance across the country. The delegation included the Board’s General Secretary and Finance Secretary.
Focus on Health Data Management
During the meeting, discussions focused on improving health data management, disease monitoring, and evidence-based policymaking. The minister highlighted that, on his directives, the Ministry of National Health Services has established a National Steering Committee to oversee the National Disease Registry System and ensure the effective use of health data at the national level.
Mustafa Kamal said the government is integrating national health statistics to strengthen policy formulation and improve healthcare governance. He noted that the committee represents a significant step toward transparent and effective health governance, while digital health data will help deliver better healthcare services to the public.
Committee Composition and Terms of Reference
According to the Ministry of Health spokesperson, a formal notification for the committee has been issued. The 15-member committee includes federal and provincial health officials, researchers, technical experts, and representatives of development partners. Under the notification, the Federal Health Minister will serve as the Patron-in-Chief, while the Health Secretary will chair the committee. The Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Health (NIH) has been appointed Convener and Secretary.
The committee also includes Directors General of Health from all provinces, representatives from Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as founding directors of the Pakistan Diabetes Registry and Pakistan Cardiac Registry. The committee’s Terms of Reference (TORs) have also been issued. It will provide recommendations on the vision, scope, and phased expansion of the national disease registry system and ensure alignment with national health and research priorities.
Additionally, the committee will develop a data governance framework covering data ownership, access, sharing, and protection, while ensuring compliance with national laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
State Minister Visits Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Pakistan’s State Minister for Health, Dr. Mukhtar Bharath, visited the Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health. He was accompanied by Dr. Usman Hamdani, Founding Director of the Global Institute of Human Development. The Pakistani delegation was welcomed by the leadership of the Child Mind Institute and the SNF Global Center.
During the meeting, internationally renowned mental health expert Dr. Ayesha Mian joined virtually. The delegation received a detailed briefing on the SNF Global Center’s innovative and effective mental health model. Pakistani representatives highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening mental health services in the country.
Collaboration and Future Plans
Both sides discussed opportunities for technical collaboration, joint research, data sharing, and participation of Pakistani experts in international fellowship programs. It was agreed that the partnership would be formalized through an official agreement. Dr. Mukhtar Bharath emphasized the importance of research and evidence-based policymaking to improve child and adolescent mental health in Pakistan.
He noted that work on the National Mental Health Policy is progressing rapidly, alongside efforts to establish a National Hub of Excellence. The minister also highlighted ongoing measures to expand mental health services in schools and primary healthcare centers.
