Pakistan on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to the United Nations Political Declarations on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health, pledging to achieve its targets through strong partnerships.
At a high-level UN meeting on the prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Director General of Health, Professor Dr Ayesha Isani Majeed, highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing measures.
Dr Majeed noted that non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illnesses, are on the rise in Pakistan, posing a growing threat to public health. She stressed that one in nine women in the country is at risk of breast cancer, the highest rate in South East Asia. To address this, breast and cervical cancer screenings have been integrated into Primary Health Care (PHC) services.
Pakistan has also rolled out the HPV vaccine for girls aged 9–14 to curb cervical cancer. As a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the country enforces strict tobacco laws, requiring 70% of cigarette packaging to carry health warnings. Additionally, the government has banned shisha in public places and is preparing new legislation to prohibit vaping and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).
Other public health steps include a 40% tax increase on sugary drinks, efforts to link health with climate action, community-driven initiatives, youth engagement, and alternative financing strategies. Dr Majeed underscored that these reforms reflect Pakistan’s resolve to combat NCDs and safeguard the well-being of future generations.
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