KARACHI: Dr Palitha Mahipala, World Health Organization (WHO) Chief of Mission in Pakistan has said that Covid-19 is no longer a global epidemic, its spread is decreasing rapidly, but new variants are still coming. To deal with these variants, a functional genomic sequencing lab is essential. One of the five genomic sequencing labs in Pakistan is fortunately located at Dow University. He said these things while addressing a ceremony held at Dow University of Health Sciences on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization and World Health Day. Vice Chancellor Dow University Prof. Muhammad Saeed Quraishy, President of Pakistan Pediatric Association Prof. Syed Jamal Raza, General Secretary Prof. Khalid Shafi, Prof. Nighat Nisar, Prof. Muzamil Shabana Ejaz spoke on this occasion. Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Sara Kazi and Dr. Sara Salman were also present. Later, the participants took a short symbolic awareness walk from the academic block of Dow Medical College to Arag Auditorium.
Addressing the event, DrPalitha Mahipala said that the health sector in Pakistan is facing many challenges. There is a need to increase the health budget at the government level. He said that according to Universal Health Coverage Index, about fifty percent of people in Pakistan have access to basic health facilities. He said that small pox emerged as a disease in 1806 and in 1980 the World Health Organization declared that small pox was eradicated from the world. Polio Eradication Campaign was started from 1988 but till now it has not been possible to eradicate polio from Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said that the use of white poison is very high in Pakistan, the government has taken the best step by increasing the tax on cigarettes, and this tax should be increased more. The tax on sugary beverages should also be increased.
Professor Mohammad Saeed Quraishy said that the severity of Covid-19 is now decreasing, the diseases are no longer as serious as they were before. This is our success but there are still challenges in the health sector. He said that Dow University was entrusted with the Infectious Diseases Hospital during the Covid pandemic, which continues to treat infectious diseases even after the global pandemic. During the last three months, 36 children were admitted to the hospital with diphtheria although the diphtheria had been eradicated, while 13 children were admitted with measles during the same period, apparently due to lack of immunization. Special attention needs to be given to the immunization of children. He appreciated the working relationship with Dow University and WHO and expressed the possibility of further cooperation in the future. Professor Syed Jamal Raza said that for the bright future of Pakistan, special attention needs to be paid to the health of children. If the health of the children is not good, then our education will not be good and the economic conditions will not improve.
Professor Nighat Nisar said that this year, WHO is celebrating the “World Health Day” with the theme of “Health for All”. Maternal health and infant mortality data in developed countries are encouraging. Pakistan’s infant mortality rate has declined but needs to be improved further.
Professor Khalid Shafi said that Dow University is running a joint program with the World Health Organization and it is getting positive results. Conducted 125 workshops in Baby Friendly Hospital and trained 3000 people. 4000 doctors are trained through the IMNCI program to diagnose diseases of children under five years of age. He said that Dow University is working side by side with WHO for the improvement in the health sector.
