The Punjab Food Authority in collaboration with Sheikh Zayed Hospital on Saturday arranged an awareness seminar and set up anti-hepatitis screening camp for general public to sensitize and educate them on the ill-effects of hepatitis and its prevention through food.
The event was held at the hospital in connection to celebrate World Hepatitis Day 2019 that to be marked across the globe on July 28 under the theme “Invest in eliminating hepatitis”. PFA Director General Captain (R) Muhammad Usman has inaugurated the camp and visited different sections of it. He has participated as a Chief Guest in the event. On that occasion, Head of Gastroenterology Department Kashif Malik, Dr. Farhan Mengal, faculty members and people from different walks of life were present.
A 30-member team comprised of expert nutritionists guided people about the dietary guidelines after their complete medical examination and nutrition counselling. PFA also distributed pamphlets and brochures among the citizens for their complete guidance. Over 1,500 people including patients, hospital staff, children and their parents have availed free screening and vaccination from this event. In this regard, an awareness walk was also held inside the hospital premises in which a large number of people participated. The participants of the walk carried banners and placards inscribed with different slogans in support of vaccination against the disease and necessary preventative measures. Later, a seminar was held at the hospital auditorium.
Speaking on the occasion, PFA Director General said that we can reduce the effect of diseases by consuming the best nutrition as well as bring down the scale of hepatitis illness to take some necessary preventive measures. He said that PFA is strictly monitoring the cultivation process of vegetables which usually grow with untreated wastewater. He said that the purpose of the strict checking is to control the virus of hepatitis and other diseases along with ensuring the provision of healthy and safe food for the public. In a query, he said that the results of the water filtration plant checking campaign were remained well in the most recent phase as compared to last year. The director general further said that PFA checked around 60,000 eateries and food production units in Punjab in a month. He added that PFA is collecting the results of different researches on diseases from various institutions which happening due to food.
Dr. Kashif Malik said that the use of uncleaned drinking water and adulterated food might lead to hepatitis for which people should take some preventative measures because prevention is better than cure. Another speaker, Dr. Farhan has appreciated the role of Punjab Food Authority for the betterment of this society. He added that safe and healthy food can play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of Hepatitis and any other disease.