Kamal Launches Yellow Waste Vans to Curb Disease Spread

News Desk

Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, on Wednesday underscored the urgent need for the safe disposal of hospital waste, calling it a vital step in protecting citizens from a wide range of diseases.

He made these remarks while speaking at a ceremony organized by the Indus Hospital and Health Network to mark the provision of Yellow Vehicles for Infectious Medical Waste—specialized vans designed for the safe disposal of medical waste.

“Prevention is better than cure. If we don’t take precautionary measures, diseases will overtake us,” the minister said.

Kamal highlighted that, with support from the Global Fund, Indus Hospital has provided medical waste disposal vans in 15 districts across the country, including Islamabad, where one vehicle will be handed over to the District Health Officer (DHO).

He warned that hospital waste is extremely hazardous and, if mismanaged, becomes a significant source of disease transmission. “Protecting people from disease is our topmost priority,” he emphasized.

Quoting health experts, the minister said that preventive healthcare is far more effective than curative care, yet often remains under-prioritized in Pakistan. “The first step in healthcare is ensuring that people do not fall sick in the first place,” he noted.

Kamal also drew attention to Pakistan’s environmental and public health challenges, particularly contaminated water, which he said is responsible for nearly 68% of diseases in the country. He stressed that access to clean drinking water, population control, and proper hospital waste management must be core elements of the country’s disease prevention strategy.

“In addition to building hospitals and ensuring medicine availability, we must place greater focus on disease prevention,” he added. “The rapid increase in population is making healthcare delivery more difficult and burdening our hospitals.”

Speaking at the event, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, President of Indus Hospital, echoed the minister’s views. He stated that real progress in the health sector depends not just on new hospitals or high-tech equipment, but on systems that protect people from falling ill.

“These vehicles reflect our commitment to infection control, environmental safety, and sustainable healthcare,” said Dr. Bari. “We are grateful for the federal government’s support and hope this model is expanded nationwide.”