Seminar on Population & Development for Population Partners

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Seminar on Population & Development for Population Partners

Dow University of Health Sciences in collaboration with Ministry of Population Welfare (MoPW), Population Welfare Department Sindh, UNFPA, Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) and Pakistan German Business Forum organized a ‘Seminar on Population & Development for Population Partners’ today at Arag Auditorium of Dow Medical College, Karachi. 

Prof. Masood Hameed Khan, Vice Chancellor, Dow University of Health Sciences speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion stressed upon creating awareness through health education about population related issues in the country. He said that governmental efforts need support and cooperation of private sector in implementation of population welfare programme activities at the grass roots level.

There is an unequal distribution of resources in the country as a result of it, a majority of people are striving hard for basic necessities of life. He offered that staff, medical students and volunteers of Dow University of Health Sciences will be available to serve at the community level to create awareness and provide services.

Mian Moazzam Shah, Director General, PPSO Project, MoPW, Islamabad termed unchecked population growth rate in the country as a threat to humanity and national integrity. He said that according to statistics, approximately 30,000 mothers and 48,000 children die each year due to unwanted pregnancies and related preventable causes as majority of the women are attended by unskilled birth attendants. He said that emphasis is laid upon birth spacing, keeping in view the socio cultural norms of the society and for this purpose active and effective cooperation from private sector is needed as government alone cannot solve the problem. He said that KCCI is the biggest Chamber of Commerce in the country and  their support for a productive and practical partnership in future is crucial for project activities in Karachi and beyond.

Dr. Azmat Waseem, Additional Secretary (Medical), PWD, Sindh gave a presentation about progress of PPSO Project in Sindh Province. She said that the project activities which were  started in 2006 and with in a short span of few years it has established 38 PPSO Centres in various organizations including Social Security Hospital, PIA, Sindh Police, Pak Air Force and Navy and  24 Homeopath doctors have also signed MoUs for mutual cooperation in RH/FP.

Abdul Majeed Haji, President KCCI in his address appreciated the efforts of MoPW and PWD Sindh for providing an opportunity to its members and business community for participation in national efforts aimed at bringing improvement in the lives of fellow countrymen through provision of quality FP/RH services under PPSO Project. He highlighted the importance of an effective partnership between private and public sector to lower the fertility rates as rapid increase in population is casting a negative impact on health, education, employment and infrastructure development. He said that at present a large proportion of Pakistanis are living below poverty line and it is the responsibility of every citizen in the country to help government in its efforts to reduce high population growth rate.

Abdul Majeed proposed that Population & Development as a subject should be introduced at college/university level and youth to be employed as volunteers to create awareness about the issue. KCCI president informed the participants that in recognition of its various welfare activities, KCCI has been bestowed with Honour Award by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Saif-ud-Din. N. Zoomkawala, President, Pak- German Business Forum highlighted the importance of partnership between public and private sector institutions which he termed as crucial to meet the challenges at the socio-economic front. He said that the existing bond of mutual cooperation should be further strengthened and uplift schemes related to population, education and health sector should be given priority in the developmental agenda.  He assured full cooperation through all EFU companies and Pak German Business Forum in propagating the cause of small family norms.

Dr. Islam Hameed, Convener, Health & Population, PPSO Project, MoPW, gave a background introduction of his association with the project activities which were initiated five years back. He said that due to the keen interest of all the partners especially office bearers and members of KCCI the activities gained momentum  and the project has successfully organized seminars in different parts of the country including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Abbottabad and Hub. Through these activities a large number of industrial sector entities and business concerns have been involved in dispensation of quality FP/RH services.

Prof. Shahnaz Ghazi of Karachi University discussed “Sensitive issue of Islam and Family Planning”.  She elaborated that by discussing various issues including FP/RH in the light of teaching of Islam, we can remove certain misconceptions related to it. Methods like uzal and breast feeding for two years should be promoted for birth spacing. She said that due to repeated child bearing and rearing by women, a majority of them suffer from anemia and malnutrition and these poor souls are also deprived of proper medical care and attention which further compound their miseries. Prof. Shahnaz emphasized that birth spacing can help in saving lives of millions of women and children and can bring improvement in their health status also.

At the end of the seminar, commemorative shields were awarded to the Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Masood Hameed Khan, Dr. Azmat Waseem, Saif-ud-Din. N. Zoomkawala,  Abdul Majeed Haji,  Dr. Islam Hameed Karachi.

2017-04-26T12:35:36+00:00