By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan announced plans to strengthen its indigenous vaccine production capacity by 2030, aiming to reduce reliance on imported doses and collaborate closely with other member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The announcement came during the inauguration of the fourth meeting of the OIC Vaccine Manufacturers Group in Islamabad, where health officials and international representatives discussed strategies to enhance vaccine availability and resilience across the Islamic world.
Addressing the gathering, Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan currently relies on thirteen imported vaccines, highlighting the urgent need to develop domestic capabilities. He proposed the creation of a Vaccine Alliance among OIC countries, describing it as a collective response to the health challenges faced by nearly 1.9 billion people living in the Islamic world.
“By pooling resources and expertise, we can ensure greater self-sufficiency and equitable access to vaccines for all member states,” Kamal said. Assistant Secretary-General of the OIC, Aftab Ahmad Khokher, reaffirmed the strong support of the OIC General Secretariat for the Vaccine Manufacturers Group.
He emphasized that strengthening vaccine production capacities within member countries was central to the organization’s broader science, technology, and development agenda, linking public health advancements to sustainable economic and technological growth.
Participants at the Islamabad meeting discussed both technical and strategic challenges, ranging from research and development to regulatory harmonization and supply chain management.
Observers noted that Pakistan’s focus on building indigenous capabilities could serve as a model for other developing OIC nations, while the proposed alliance could foster greater cooperation, knowledge sharing, and preparedness in the face of future health crises.
The meeting underlined a growing recognition among member states that public health security is inextricably linked to scientific capacity and international collaboration, with Pakistan positioning itself as a potential hub for vaccine innovation in the region.
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