Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a compelling plea on Sunday during a session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, calling for global solidarity to address the glaring disparity between the Global South and the Global North, especially in healthcare access. He highlighted the urgent need to tackle worldwide health inequities, labeling them as the primary challenge confronting humanity.
In his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz reflected on the COVID-19 pandemic, which laid bare the gaping chasm between developed and developing nations in terms of healthcare provisions and vaccine distribution. Additionally, he drew attention to the shifting global dynamics caused by climate change, citing Pakistan’s own ordeal with devastating floods in 2022, which inflicted severe damage on infrastructure, compelling the country to allocate substantial resources for rehabilitation efforts, often resorting to costly loans.
Asserting the necessity for adequate resources to furnish healthcare facilities in countries like Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz stressed the imperative of bridging the socioeconomic divide between the Global South and North. He shared personal anecdotes, including the exorbitant costs of cancer treatment for the impoverished populace of Pakistan and his endeavors as the former Chief Minister of Punjab to extend free healthcare services to the underprivileged.
Under his leadership, Punjab witnessed groundbreaking initiatives such as widespread screening and treatment programs for diseases like hepatitis, particularly targeting remote and underserved communities. He highlighted the establishment of state-of-the-art hospitals specializing in kidney and liver ailments, where indigent patients received treatment free of charge, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to equitable healthcare access.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also recounted Punjab’s successful containment of the dengue outbreak in 2011, attributing it to collective action involving government agencies, civil society, and citizens. This concerted effort, despite limited resources, underscored the potential for effective healthcare interventions even in challenging circumstances, serving as a valuable case study for global health initiatives.
Acknowledging the support extended by the international community, Prime Minister Shehbaz commended the Saudi leadership, particularly King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for their compassionate endeavors in advancing healthcare initiatives, thereby alleviating human suffering on a global scale.
Leave a Reply