ISLAMABAD — The World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services today commemorated World Health Day on April 6, 2026, celebrating nearly eight decades of life-saving medical advancements. During the event in Islamabad, officials highlighted how medical science has transitioned from a professional choice to a societal necessity, protecting millions from once-deadly diseases.
The Power of Science in Public Health
Secretary Health Muhammad Aslam Ghauri emphasized that since Pakistan joined 60 other nations in ratifying the WHO constitution 78 years ago, the landscape of national health has been transformed. "Trusting and following medical science is not an option; our future and the future of our families depend on it," Ghauri stated, noting that diseases like smallpox have been eradicated while others like malaria and Hepatitis C are now curable.
The Secretary also championed the "One Health" approach, which recognizes the vital link between the health of people, animals, and our shared ecosystems.
Data-Driven Success: Vaccines and Treatments
WHO Representative in Pakistan, Dr. Luo Dapeng, provided compelling statistics to demonstrate the tangible impact of international health cooperation:
Vaccination Impact: Globally, vaccines have saved over 150 million lives in the last 50 years. In Pakistan, 7 million children and 5.5 million women receive life-saving vaccines annually.
Polio Eradication: Pakistan has successfully reduced polio cases by 99.8% over the last 30 years. Thanks to the vaccine, 20 million people globally are walking today who might otherwise have been paralyzed.
Tuberculosis Control: Medical science has saved 83 million lives from TB in the last 25 years, with 5 million Pakistanis receiving treatment in the last decade alone.
Nutrition: Every year, WHO and the Ministry of Health provide critical care for 70,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition with medical complications.
A Legacy for the Future
The ceremony concluded with a message to the youth. Dr. Dapeng addressed the students in attendance, calling them the "future of the world" and urging them to stand with science. As Pakistan enters its eighth decade of partnership with the WHO, the commitment remains focused on maintaining a safer, healthier world for all citizens.
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