Equal Access to Health and Education Vital for Social Justice: Musadik Malik
Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, emphasized the importance of equal access to health and education for social justice. Addressing the Health and Education Summit Pakistan (HESP) 2026, he stated:
Basic education is a right of every child, and the state has a responsibility to provide quality education and healthcare to all citizens without discrimination.
Dr. Malik noted that the government, under Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif's vision, is focused on improving health and education facilities. While basic services are available, he stressed the need for further enhancement in quality and service delivery.
He argued that social justice demands equal access to essential services, including education and healthcare, and added that no child should be denied these fundamental rights due to financial constraints. The minister highlighted the state's primary responsibility to ensure a dignified life for its citizens, emphasizing that a poor family's priority is quality education and healthcare for their children and parents.
Dr. Malik raised concerns about the need to strengthen service delivery in public institutions, emphasizing accountability for any negligence, especially in healthcare, citing the PIMS incident as an example. He emphasized that such lapses cannot be tolerated.
He further discussed the ongoing revolution in health sciences, driven by advancements in various fields like nanotechnology, biotechnology, cognitive sciences, and information technology. Integrating these technologies, he suggested, is crucial for sustainable progress in healthcare.
Additionally, Dr. Malik highlighted the interconnectedness of health, education, and environmental protection, stating that a clean and safe environment is vital for public health, and environmental degradation can hinder social justice efforts.