The delegation highlighted the need for proper national rabies surveillance system to improve disease monitoring and response.
ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has reviewed Pakistan’s growing rabies situation and announced plans to strengthen efforts to prevent deaths caused by the disease.
The minister made the announcement during a meeting with a delegation led by Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, CEO of The Indus Hospital and Health Network, where officials discussed national measures for rabies prevention and control.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted the need for a proper national rabies surveillance system to improve disease deaths monitoring and response.
Officials informed the minister that around 5,000 people die from rabies each year in Pakistan, while thousands of dog bite cases are reported annually, especially among children and communities with limited healthcare access.
Expressing concern over the increasing number of cases, Mustafa Kamal approved the development of a national rabies prevention and control framework.
The minister said a National Technical Working Advisory Group would soon be formed to prepare the framework and guide future prevention efforts.
He also directed authorities to launch a nationwide awareness campaign to educate people about rabies prevention and safety measures.
Mustafa Kamal appreciated the anti rabies campaign launched in Sindh and praised Indus Hospital for providing technical support in efforts to control the disease.
During the meeting, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan presented the minister with the Sindh official guidelines for prevention of human rabies (2024).
The health minister also paid tribute to the late Professor Naseem Salahuddin, recognizing her contributions to rabies prevention and public health in Pakistan.
