Health Minister reaffirms govt's resolve to make Pakistan polio-free.

ISLAMABAD -- Federal Health Minister Aamer Mehmood Kiani has reaffirmed government's resolve to make Pakistan a polio free country.

He was talking to regional Director of World Health Organization Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, who called on him in Islamabad on Monday.

The Minister thanked the WHO cooperation to Pakistan in its polio eradication efforts. He said the health ministry is also working on dealing with the TB and HIV issues on priority basis.

Talking to the visiting dignitary Federal Health Minister Aamer Mehmood Kiani said under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan the government was committed to strengthening the health sector. Allocation for health is being significantly enhanced.

The Government has decided to scale up health insurance program to all districts of Pakistan. By the end of 2019 we will be covering around 50 percent of the population with health cards. The benefits package has been doubled with additional services included. To achieve Universal Health Coverage, Family Practice Approach is being piloted in 12 districts, across all provinces with the support of WHO.

He said for the first time health tax is being introduced by the government. This will go long way in reducing smoking prevalence, increasing revenues and financing health-care. Improving quality of patient-care and services in hospitals is being given special attention, shared the Minster.

The government is focusing on strengthening the immunization program and improving its coverage to protect mother and children from deadly diseases. The recently held measles campaign was the best ever in terms of coverage which was also validated by third party.

The Government is committed to strengthen International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities. In this regard 18...