PMA: Preventive measures needed to overcome burden of diseases

KARACHI- 33rd Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Biennial Medical Conference was held from 30th November to 2nd December 2018 at local hotel of Peshawar under theme “Health Care & Medical Education, the Way Forward”.

The conference was inaugurated by President of Pakistan Dr Arif ur Rehman Alvi.  During his speech, he stressed upon the need of adopting preventive measures to overcome the burden of diseases rather than curative site. He emphasized to work on priority basis for the eradication of malnutrition and stunting in Pakistan. He expressed his concerns over the uncontrolled growth of population.

He also informed the medical fraternity that a draft ordinance regarding PM&DC is under process and will soon be promulgated to address the issues of PM&DC. Chairman organizing committee Dr Muhammad Azhar Khan Jadoon, President PMA Centre Dr Muhammad Ashraf Nizami, Secretary General Dr SM Qaisar Sajjad, representative from UNICEF and Nutritional International also spoke on this occasion.

The scientific session of the conference covered the entire major disciplines of medical Sciences. This was an event of national importance for the entire profession, attracting doctors from all over Pakistan and abroad. Experts of different specialties presented their research work, updated knowledge and exchanged information.

Nutrition International and UNICEF, Pakistan were the key partners of 33rd PMA Biennial Medical Conference. A special session was organized on nutrition in which Senator Mehar Taj, Dr Mohammad Ayub Rose, Director General Health KPK, Dr Farooq Jamil, Secretary Health KPK, and Representative from Health Dept. Sindh chaired the session.

The experts on nutrition discussed the development of linkages among key stakeholders to eradicate the malnutrition from the country. Pre-Conference workshops / midwifery/ nurse conference held on 29th November 2018. Dr Meher Taj Roghani was the Chief Guest at this occasion.

An informative theatre play by Sheema Kirmani depicting the issue of mother and child nutrition and health in Tharparkar was also organized with delivering the key messages for the community awareness.

The elections of Pakistan Medical Association (Centre) were also held during the conference. The process of the elections was endorsed and declared by the General Body Meeting.

Following candidates were declared successful. Dr Ikram Ahmed Tunio (Larkana, Sindh) President, Dr, Salma Aslam Kundi (Abbottabad, KPK) President Elect, Dr Qaisar Sajjad (Karachi, Sindh) Secretary General, Dr Qazi Muhammad Wasiq (Karachi, Sindh)  Treasurer, Dr Amir Saleem (Kasur, Punjab) Joint Secretary – I, Dr Saeed Ahmed (Quetta, Balochistan) Joint Secretary – II and Dr Sarwar Jamil Siddiqui (Karachi, Sindh) Chairman Editorial Board-JPMA.