According to World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, diabetes, etc. are responsible for 41 million deaths annually,74% of all fatalities globally. The high prevalence of risk factors associated with NCDs includes unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, hazardous alcohol consumption, air pollution, as well as genetic factors. In Pakistan, NCDs are estimated to account for 50% of total deaths, between ages 30 and 70 years from the four main NCDs is 21% in Pakistan.
Keeping in view the importance of this issue, the department of Biological Sciences has taken the initiative to organize a symposium entitled as “Noncommunicable Diseases Awareness Symposium: Pathway to Prevention” on 4th May 2023, with the aim to understand in detail the lifestyle, environmental and genetic risk factors as well as associated complications of NCDs. This event comprised of various activities including lectures by eminent physicians and scientists and awareness videos prepared by students to highlight the significance of NCDs.
The event started with the recitation of the wholly Quran, followed up by the welcome note from the Head of Department. Dr. Aamir Shehzad, Director ACAD Clinical, graced this event as a chief guest.
First speaker Lt. Col. Dr. Yasir Javed, who is currently working as the Head of Department of Preventive Cardiology at Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi had enlightened the participants on the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases.
The second panelist was renowned scientist Prof. Dr. Syed Javaid Khurshid, who is an independent think tank professional and Ex Secretory Science Communication Advisory Board OIC COMSTECH. Prof. Khurshid worked for Pakistan’s Atomic Energy Commission for around 40 years in a variety of capacities. His talk mainly focused on cancer awareness, prevention, management and the current available cancer treatment facilities in Pakistan.
The next guest speaker was Prof. Dr. Jamal Zafar, senior medical specialist and a renowned Diabetologist. He is the Ex-Chairman of Department of Medicine in Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, PIMS, Islamabad and currently the CEO of Hanif Medical Complex, Rawalpindi. Prof Dr. Jamal Zafar shared with the participant the information related to Diabetes and related complications.
The event also includes a video prepared by student on NCD awareness. At the end of the event, the chief guest presented the Souvenirs to the guest speakers and certificates of appreciation to the organizers Dr. Aysha Karim Kiani, Dr. Deeba Amraiz, Dr. Rida Fatima Saeed, Dr. Uzma Azeem Awan and the facilitators. The event was concluded by the chief guest remarks, who appreciated the success of this well-organized event.
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