Pakistan-Brunei for close collaboration in the Health Sector

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Muhammad Nasir Khan during formal talks with his Brunei Darussalam counterpart Pehin Dato Suyol Osman who arrived here on Monday on a 4-day official visit agreed upon close collaboration in the health sector.

The Brunei health minister in his remarks said, "the visit would translate the existing cordial relations between the two countries into fruitful collaboration in the health sector for the mutual benefit of the two countries".

Muhammad Nasir Khan informed the visiting Health Minister Dato Osman that the country produces highly qualified doctors, surgeons and para-medics whose qualifications are recognized internationally.

He mentioned, "the country has institutions like the National Institute of Health where research is being carried out in the field of public health besides vaccine production alongside monitoring and surveillance of epidemics.

Federal Secretary Health Syed Anwar Mehmood was also present at the meeting.

He offered Brunei doctors training in the post-graduate medical institutions of Pakistan while informing of the efforts made in the country to enhance patient to nurse ratio by instituting double shifts in nursing schools.

"The country offers a huge pharmaceutical sector with prices much lower as compared to other countries", the delegation was informed by the Secretary Health.

Referring to the outbreak of Avian Flu in countries surrounding Pakistan Health Minister said, " Pakistan had prepared in advance and Tamiflu, the drug required to treat the disease was stock piled.

"Keeping in view the need of the medicine in huge quantities in the event of an outbreak, indigenous capacity has been developed in the country and now the drug is being manufactured by eleven companies in the country", he added.

The Brunei delegation was informed by the Federal Minister, "Pakistan produces best quality surgical instruments that are being exported the world over".

Later the Brunei minister for health visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Health (PIMS) where he was given a briefing by the Executive Director of the Institute, Professor Syed Fazl-e-Hadi on the working of the institute and the expertise offered in different medical specialties.

The visiting Minister was taken round the Children Hospital and Mother & Child Care Center (PIMS)