At WEF, PM Shehbaz calls attention to disparities in global health

Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister, called attention to the disparities in healthcare throughout the world on Sunday, stating that they are the primary issue.

During the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) special conference in Riyadh, PM Shehbaz talked about his experience with a “nasty cancer” during a discussion on the global health topic.

“I was sent to New York after being diagnosed with a very terrible malignancy called adenocarcinoid. I had to spend thousands of dollars out of pocket at the time, and I said, “Not very many people in my country could afford this kind of expensive treatment.”

Regarding the matter of worldwide healthcare disparities, Prime Minister Shehbaz stated that COVID-19 significantly revealed these disparities and imbalances.

“Imagine global north and south, distribution of vaccines and so on and so forth,” he stated.

The Prime Minister then discussed Pakistan’s problems, mentioning how climate change had, in his words, drastically altered the country’s terrain.

“Despite Pakistan’s negligible emissions, the country is listed as vulnerable to climate change, and in 2022, it will face its worst floods ever.”

The premier said, “Everything was devastated from hospitals to schools to land and agriculture and we had to invest hundreds of billions of rupees to rehabilitate people,” raising concerns about how a poor nation could afford to accomplish such a thing.

In his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz also praised the job his administration accomplished when he served as chief minister, claiming that he was able to supply resources to every remote area of Punjab.

He continued by saying that he also offered CT scans and hepatitis services to underprivileged individuals in need in every isolated part of the province.

The prime minister went on to say that he had constructed one of the best renal and liver hospitals in Lahore, where the wealthy paid for treatments and the impoverished received free care. He also said that his administration was able to offer facilities for the populace by combining cross-option subsidies with other funding sources.

PM to meet Kuwait emir

PM Shehbaz will also meet Kuwait’s Emir, Mashal Al Ahmed Al Jabr, during his two-day visit.

The prime minister is scheduled to meet with Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), along with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. During their meeting, they are expected to discuss the specifics of Pakistan’s proposed new economic package and exchange perspectives.

Islamabad will have a significant chance to highlight its goals at the forum, particularly those related to inclusive growth, global health architecture, revitalizing regional engagement, and the necessity of finding a balance between fostering growth and energy consumption.

Approximately one thousand leaders are expected to gather for the two-day event to engage in a thorough discussion on how to use international collaboration for economic development, encourage a global energy transition that supports sustainable development, and accelerate technical innovation.

On the fringes of the WEF gathering, the premier also had a meeting with Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank.

In the course of the discussion, the parties examined the state of many current projects in Pakistan that are sponsored by the IDB and looked into potential new areas of collaboration between Islamabad and the lender.

The premier reaffirmed the Special Investment Facilitation Council’s (SIFC) active role in sourcing foreign investment in the nation, noting appreciation for IDB’s assistance to Islamabad regarding the post-flood rehabilitation measures and acknowledging its role in providing assistance in partnership, reconstruction, and employment in the country.

Sulaiman Al Jasser, meanwhile, referred to Pakistan as a crucial founding member of the IDB and emphasized the country’s plentiful natural and water resources as well as the value held by its sizeable labor force, all of which may be “fully benefitted” from.

PM Shehbaz is also anticipated to meet Microsoft founder and tech magnate Bill Gates, as well as a number of Saudi officials, including those of finance, industry, and investment.