ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Dr Arif Alvi underscored the significance of adopting preventive measures to mitigate the impact of diseases and enhance the overall health of the country’s population. Speaking at the “Med-Health Expo 2023 and Summit,” President Alvi highlighted the pivotal role of health and education sectors, urging their prioritization for national development.
Addressing the event, President Alvi highlighted that preventive measures could substantially aid individuals, particularly those with limited resources, in avoiding or minimizing chronic diseases such as breast cancer, hepatitis, and communicable diseases.
Discussing the health sector’s challenges, President Alvi pointed to past factors like lack of decision-making, disregard for merit, and corruption that have hindered the expansion of health facilities in the country.
Organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), the health sector exhibition aimed to facilitate information exchange, learning, and collaboration among healthcare professionals. Over two days, the event showcased the latest advancements in medical fields through various sessions.
President Urge Universities and Academia to Focus on Research
President Alvi urged universities and academia to focus on research within the health sector, stressing that this could lead to significant enhancements in human well-being. He encouraged medical professionals to align with the global trend of advanced research on human DNA for disease prediction.
Calling upon industrialists, President Alvi urged them to produce affordable medical devices, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for people across all segments of society. He proposed that industries explore untapped markets like Africa to expand pharmaceutical and surgical instrument exports.
Highlighting a concerning statistic, President Alvi noted that annually, around 9 million pregnancies occur in Pakistan, with 50% being unwanted. Access to contraceptive facilities could alleviate this issue.
President Alvi advocated for the integration of technology in healthcare. He proposed that doctors and hospitals adopt online healthcare facilities to save resources and offer accessible services to a wider populace.
Furthermore, President Alvi emphasized the importance of providing first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training at the school level, empowering common individuals to respond effectively in emergencies.
RCCI President Saqib Rafiq acknowledged the pivotal role played by President Dr Arif Alvi and First Lady Samina Alvi in raising awareness about diseases like breast cancer in Pakistan. He acknowledged that Pakistan’s health sector faces challenges that require attention.
Sohail Altaf, Group Leader RCCI, called on the government to offer subsidized land and equipment to the private sector, ensuring affordable healthcare options for all. On the occasion, President Alvi acknowledged the efforts of pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and medical laboratories in the health sector and awarded them with shields.
