MUZAFFARABAD: Public Health Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi, held a meeting with a delegation from Pakistan’s National Institute of Health (NIH), during which the delegation provided a detailed briefing on the progress of the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) program, the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system, and recent developments discussed in the latest review session.
The NIH representatives informed the minister that specialized training modules have been introduced across all districts of AJK to strengthen the operational capacity of the RRTs. These modules focus on emergency response protocols, field investigations, laboratory sampling procedures, data reporting, and rapid identification and containment of infectious and epidemic diseases. The delegation also presented recommendations gathered during recent workshops, along with suggestions aimed at improving field responses and outlining the next steps in program implementation.
Welcoming the delegation, Minister Naqvi reaffirmed that the AJK Department of Public Health is pursuing advanced measures to ensure swift and effective containment of communicable diseases. He added that the RRTs program is being further enhanced and integrated under the IDSR system to guarantee a timely, science-based response during potential outbreaks.
Expressing satisfaction over the ongoing reform efforts, Naqvi said that these initiatives play a vital role in modernizing public health mechanisms and ensuring the timely delivery of health services to citizens. He emphasized the importance of aligning the health sector with contemporary global standards to strengthen preventive healthcare and crisis readiness.
Officials attending the meeting included Director Health Services (CDC) Dr. Muhammad Farooq Awan, Director Health Procurement Dr. Abdul Sattar Khan, Director MPRC/IDSR Dr. Ahmed Junaid, Additional Medical Superintendent CMH Rawalakot Dr. Nauman Manzoor Butt, Additional DHO Muzaffarabad Dr. Qurat-ul-Ain, along with technical experts from NIH.
At the conclusion of the meeting, it was decided that the RRTs would be further strengthened, district-level disease surveillance systems would be upgraded, and technical collaboration with NIH would be expanded to reinforce epidemic preparedness and response across Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
