ISLAMABAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath said that the country has been taking steps to improve the primary healthcare system to promote national health and a healthy future.

"Strengthening primary healthcare is the most inclusive, effective and efficient approach to enhance people's physical and mental health that is a cornerstone of a sustainable health system in Pakistan," the minister said while addressing an event on Tuesday.

He said that the government is taking measures for building resilient, equitable and efficient health systems which are more adoptive, inclusive and responsive, adding that the country is committed to achieving the goals of universal health coverage.

"Through our new national health and population policy, we plan to gradually enhance government health expenditure from 1 percent of gross domestic product to 3 percent and bring in primary healthcare-focused reforms in collaboration with provincial governments and partners," he said.

Talking about the digitalization of the healthcare system, the minister emphasized the need to make the national health system more resilient and responsive to digital transformation by scaling up digital health solutions for data management and telemedicine at the primary healthcare level.

Regarding the elimination of polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis C and other communicable diseases, he said that several initiatives have been launched in this regard, and a center has been working with provinces to strengthen preparedness and response capacities of the national health system for future pandemics. Enditem

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