Multan: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal on Friday said the true objective of healthcare was not merely to build hospitals but to prevent people from falling ill through effective public health interventions and timely medical care.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at the Multan University of Science and Technology (MUST), he praised the institution for providing world-class facilities, advanced technology and a research-driven academic environment, describing it as a beacon of hope and progress for the country’s youth.
Congratulating the university administration, the minister said that due to the nature of his office he regularly received information from across the country, and whenever he encountered an atmosphere of pessimism, institutions like MUST offered a refreshing example of positivity, dedication and optimism for the future.
He said the university’s modern infrastructure, technological advancements and commitment to quality education reflected the vision and hard work of its management.
‘Success in such endeavours comes when intentions are sincere and determination is strong,’ he remarked, adding that establishing institutions of this calibre required exceptional commitment and passion.
Mustafa Kamal stressed the importance of setting benchmarks in every sector so that others could follow successful models. He said if universities across the country adopted the standards established by MUST, the institution’s administration would rightfully earn recognition for inspiring positive change in higher education.
Highlighting the government’s healthcare priorities, he said efforts were being made to strengthen preventive healthcare, improve access to quality medical services and ensure early diagnosis of diseases.
‘The goal of healthcare is not only to treat illness but to stop it from occurring in the first place,’ he said.
The minister pointed out that approximately 6.7 million children are born in Pakistan every year, while around 11,000 women lose their lives annually due to pregnancy, childbirth and related complications. He noted that mortality among children under the age of five remained a major public health challenge requiring sustained attention and investment.
Urging students to pursue excellence, he advised them not to leave the university with degrees alone but to emerge as competent professionals and experts capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
Expressing confidence in the country’s future, Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan was destined for better days, provided the nation continued to work hard, maintain a positive outlook and focus on institutional development. He encouraged the university administration to continue its efforts with the same dedication and commitment.
The minister said he would encourage more people, including relevant authorities, to visit MUST and observe its modern facilities and academic systems, which could serve as a model for other institutions.
Responding to a question regarding medicine prices, he clarified that reducing drug prices was not solely within the authority of the federal health minister. He explained that the ministry forwarded recommendations to the federal cabinet and that a comprehensive regulatory mechanism existed for reviewing the prices of medicines and pharmaceutical products.
On the issue of creating new administrative units in the country, Mustafa Kamal endorsed recent remarks by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, stating that he had long supported the establishment of additional administrative units to improve governance and public service delivery.
