ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Health has established National Health Emergency Centre (NHEC) to address potential crises arising from the esca-lating India-Pakistan conflict, Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal announced on Thursday.

The NHEC will function similarly to the National Command and Operation Centre, which was established in 2020 deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The centre will maintain round-the-clock coordination with all provinces and relevantinstitutions.

The minister chaired a high-level emergency meeting at the National Institute of Health (NIH) to comprehensively review preparedness and formulate strategies for potential health emergencies.

Provincial governments have been urged to allocate additional hospital beds and ensure adequate stockpiles of blood and essential medicines in anticipation of any crisis. The minister also emphasised that the medical needs of the armed forces will be met on a priority basis.-Ikram Junaidi