National Campaign Against Hepatitis, Diabetes, and Malnutrition Launched | Government Enhances Women’s Workforce Participation Through Technological Innovations, Says Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal

June 25, 2024: The Planning Minister, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, addressed the concluding session of the National Conference on Women and Health, titled “Paving the Path to Inclusive Health Care Solutions for Women in Pakistan.” In his speech, the Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing women’s health and education as a cornerstone for national development.

Minister Iqbal highlighted that no country can achieve development without the full participation of its female population, which constitutes 50 percent of the population. He underscored the necessity of attaining a 90% literacy rate among women, as seen in rapidly developing countries in Asia over the last fifty years. The Minister pointed out that countries with less than a fifty percent participation rate of women in national development have not succeeded in sustainable growth.

Minister Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the government’s proactive measures for women’s welfare under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). He emphasized that significant initiatives have been introduced to ensure women’s empowerment and health.

He outlined the importance of empowering youth and women to create a future-ready workforce for the digital economy of the 21st century. The government has implemented various measures, including technological advancements that enable women to work from home, thereby enhancing their participation in the workforce.

Highlighting the detrimental impact of neglecting health issues on national competitiveness in today’s global arena, he underscored the imperative to combat these diseases effectively. To address these challenges, the government is launching significant initiatives this year under the leadership of the Prime Minister in collaboration with provincial governments. These initiatives include undertaking hepatitis with a national campaign aimed at achieving results comparable to Egypt’s success in eliminating the disease within three years.

Another initiative targets the rising prevalence of diabetes, focusing on raising awareness and promoting healthier lifestyles. The government also aims to address malnutrition among schoolchildren by enhancing nutritional facilities, alongside efforts to stabilize the population growth rate, which has begun to increase in contrast to global trends.

Minister Iqbal emphasized the inclusivity of these efforts, noting the establishment of the Gender Unit within the Ministry of Planning during the previous tenure. This unit aims to ensure that women’s health and welfare are prioritized and integrated across all development initiatives, reflecting the government’s commitment to fostering a healthier and more resilient society.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to continuing these efforts, ensuring that women’s welfare remains a top priority in Pakistan’s development agenda.