Staff Reporter
A special seminar on “Role of Women in Prevention of Heart Diseases” was organized by Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH). Among the special guests were Federal Minister for Climate Change Zartaj Gul, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr Noshin Hamid, Chairperson National Commission for Child Rights Afshan Tehseen Bajwa, Senator Rubina Khalid, Senator Samina Saeed, MPA Farah Agha, MPA Shahida Malik, Pulmonologist Dr. Wajd Ali, Deputy Secretary General Jamaat-e-Islami Ayesha Syed, Information Sec Kudsia Mudasser, Senior Vice President Minhaj-ul-Quran Razia Naveed, Minhaj welfare Director Naheed Mazhar, civil society and a large number of journalists attended. Major General (retd) Masood-ur-Rehman Kayani, President Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), Sanaullah Ghumman, General Secretary and senior members hosted the event.
The seminar started with the recitation from the Holy Quran, Federal Minister for Climate Change Zartaj Gul said that Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) has been carrying out the duty of educating the general public for the last 36 years for the prevention of heart diseases, the aim of which is to protect the citizens from heart disease. This is the reason for becoming Panah ambassador. The growing trend of smoking and sugary drinks among girls and young girls is worrying.
We have to stop using these unnecessary items. October is celebrated all over the world as a cancer awareness campaign. Basically the use of sugary drinks increases the risk of cancer by 18% and heart attack by 42%. Our government is trying to reduce our import bill, whatever comes to our country is halal, increase the export bill, which the government is working on. Yes, you make suggestions on legislation, we will help you to implement it, we are with Panah wherever they seek refuge for awareness. Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr. Noshin Hamid said that women have to play an important role in health issues.
Panah efforts in raising awareness about heart diseases are commendable. WHO is working hard to prevent Heart diseases and health. Salt should be used less with sweets. We need to reduce the use of fats to prevent heart disease, they are being legislated all over the world, we also have to think about it, smoking is an industry that kills 160,000 people every year and creates new customers at the same rate. In Pakistan, where 1,200 children and young people start smoking daily, one day I visited Pulmonologist Ward in PIMS, where 90% of the patients were smokers. Girls who are addicted to smoking during college, still smoke after marriage, as a result their marriages are breaking up, we need to focus on the things that help to get rid of the disease.
