KARACHI: Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal on Sunday said that while significant health research is being conducted in Pakistan, the real challenge lies in translating that into actionable policies and real-world improvements in healthcare.

Speaking at the 6th International Medical Research Conference (IMRC), organised by the Health Research Advisory Board (HealthRAB) at the Getz Pharma Auditorium in Karachi, Kamal emphasised an urgent need to link research with policy execution.

`As soon as I return to Islamabad, I will call for all research reports from HealthRAB and other institutions and ensure their implementation,` he said, adding that the health ministry must move from words to action. `Technology and mobile health solutions are the future of healthcare in Pakistan,` he added.

He also announced that the government was working to make every citizen`s CNIC their medical record number, a key step in digitising health data nationwide.

In a candid remark, the federal minister said that despite being a nuclear power, Pakistan still lags behind in basic health indicators like polio.

`Afghanistan might eliminate polio before we do. We must end ittogether,` he added.

HealthRAB Chairman Prof Abdul Basit stressed the need for indigenous research based on local healthcare realities, commending the ministry`s initiative to link CNICs with medical records.

Digital health expert Dr Zakiuddin Ahmed announced the launch of five national disease registries and called for meaningful, homegrown research to guide future healthcare planning.

Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) CEO Dr Obaidullah voiced serious concerns about antimicrobial resistance, warning that drug-resistant tuberculosis had reached pandemic levels.

The conference also recognised leading contributions to health research.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Prof Tipu Sultan, while the Hajra Biloo Gold Medal for National Health Research was awarded to Prof Dr Wasey Shakir, Prof Dr Ziaul Haq of Khyber Medical University, and Dr Muhammad Raza Shah of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences. Dr Raheela Ahmed received special recognition for her services.

Senior journalist M. Waqar Bhatti of The News was awarded a Special Health Journalism Award for promoting sciencebased health reporting.-Staff Reporter